Yumio to Buntsu (ユミオとブンツウ) 06 — Satoko Shibata (柴田聡子/a voice-over artist and audiovisual translator from Japan)
Hi, folks! Thanks for reading. This episode of “Yumio to Buntsu,” literally means “interacting with Yumio through writing” since “Buntsu (ブンツウ/文通)” refers to “communicating with someone far away by writing,” features a voice-over artist and an audiovisual translator, Satoko Shibata (柴田聡子) from Fukuoka, Japan. Thanks for joining here Satoko, so can you briefly introduce yourself?
https://twitter.com/satokovoartist
Of course, thank you for having me. Hi there! I’m Satoko Shibata, a voice over artist and audio visual translator from Japan. I live in Fukuoka, which is located in the western part of Japan and is the fifth largest city in the country. It’s a pleasure to be here and have the opportunity to share a bit about what I do.
Thank you so much, Satoko! Yes, Fukuoka is one of the major cities in Japan (a population of 1.5M) featuring a lot of delicious foods like “Hakata Ramen (博多ラーメン),” which later impacted a suspense light-novel/anime “Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (博多豚骨ラーメンズ, 2014-/2018).”
Ok, let’s get this party started. Can you share your latest accomplishment or your temporary goal that you would like to reach?
Sure! I’m excited to share that in 2023, I hit my all-time high in revenue since I started in this field. Also, I got nominated for two SOVAS Voice Arts® Awards in the American voice over industry, specifically for “Best Japanese Voiceover” in corporate narration and live-action dubbing film or TV. It’s been an amazing journey.
My next goal? I want to use my skills in translation and voice over to help international products and services launch in Japan, aiming to boost this part of my business. It’s all about connecting different cultures and markets, and I’m thrilled about the possibilities ahead.
Thanks for sharing both! Hmm, “SOVAS” stands for “Society of Voice Arts and Science.” That sounds like a great accomplishment to prove your voice-over skills. Wish you great future success in the international field. So, since you are a professional voice-over artist and an audiovisual translator, can you briefly describe this profession to beginners like us?
Absolutely! As a professional voice over artist and audiovisual translator, my work involves localizing content for the Japanese market. This includes translating and recording Japanese voiceovers for various types of content originally produced in English, such as web commercials, corporate videos, training videos, audio guide, e-learning materials, textbooks, educational apps, video games, and audiobooks.
The goal is to make these products fully accessible and understandable to the Japanese audience by optimizing them through localization. While most of the content I work with already has a completed Japanese script, meaning about 80% of my job leans towards voice over, the audiovisual translation aspect is crucial. It involves translating for dubbing, ensuring that the length of the English voice over matches perfectly with the Japanese one, so the timing aligns seamlessly. It’s all about finding the best translation that fits the original’s pace and emotion, making sure the final product feels natural and engaging to the Japanese audience.
Thank you so much for your thorough explanation of what your work tasks are, Satoko! When we had an initial conversation via ZOOM, you told me that you have voiced over those “for educational purposes” videos for employee training. Seems like voice-over work really requires “accurate word usage” and “fit into the assigned time.” Only talented people can handle such heavy duties. Then, what made you decide to become a voice-over artist?
It’s the flexibility to connect with clients globally from my home, allowing me to dive into diverse projects. Plus, it’s fantastic that I can be there when my kids come home from school.
Yes, thanks to nowadays “remote-oriented” work environment. The same with me. I do most things over my Windows 11, and sometimes feels like half of my body is melting into my hard disk! By the way, what kind of jobs have you experienced before becoming a voice-over artist?
Before becoming a voice over artist, I experienced various roles, but two jobs hold a special place in my career. One was working in international sales for Kokoro, a company that manufactured dinosaur robots, like the Tyrannosaurus. I was responsible for selling these robots to museums across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Another memorable role was handling international PR for the Miraikan, a science museum in Tokyo that showcases cutting-edge scientific advancements.
Both jobs involved using English to communicate with people from different countries, promoting Japanese products and services to overseas markets, and introducing good services and products from abroad to Japan. These experiences have been incredibly valuable in my current localization work, helping me understand the nuances of cross-cultural communication and marketing.
Dinosaur robots! Never heard of such a job present in Japan. My initial image of “Dino-Bots” was like that of animatronics we see in a couple of attractions (such as “Enchanted Tiki Room/魅惑のチキルーム”) in Disneyland.
And, my first “Dinosaur nightmare” was when I watched the very first “Jurassic Park” in theaters 31 years ago. Miraikan (日本科学未来館) was opened on July 9th, 2001, just a year before I immigrated to America. Hope I can visit this great museum when I trip back to Japan. So, Satoko’s strength stems from those “communication tasks in English.” Quite understandable about her English proficiency. How about, what is the greatest moment of being a voice-over artist and audiovisual translator?
It’s when I see a project come together perfectly — especially after I’ve translated a script and then recorded the Japanese voiceover. The most satisfying part is when the length of the English voice over matches the Japanese version exactly, and the final video just flows seamlessly. It’s like seeing all the pieces of a puzzle fit together perfectly!
A, ha. The perfect harmony! Or, that Jamiroquai’s excellent 4th album in 1999 — “Synkronized.”
And, that Radiohead’s one of greatest tunes, “Everything In Its Right Place” we love to see in any moment. Conversely, what is the most difficult nature of being a voice-over artist and audiovisual translator?
It’s the constant need to take care of my throat and stay healthy to avoid catching a cold. Last year, when I caught COVID and lost my voice, I found myself in a really dark place, wondering, “What’s going to happen now?” Keeping up with vocal health and overall well-being is a daily commitment in this line of work.
Oh, sorry to hear that, Satoko. My wife and I are lucky enough to dodge crowded places and have never gotten COVID so far. Yet, we never know what will happen next. So, we better not let our guards off, stay healthy with constant exercise (I now complete 10,000+ steps every day, rain or shine), and never think minus since negativity easily devours us. Let’s change the direction a bit. Do you have any notable work that you accomplished and can brag to us?
One piece of work I’m particularly proud of is providing my voice for the theater video at the US Capitol Visitor Center. It was an awe-inspiring project, explaining the history of the American Congress and the Capitol building itself. Having my voice selected to bring such a significant and solemn narrative to life for Japanese-speaking visitors was incredibly moving.
Wow, that’s such a great work you’ve done! The place is notable in D.C. under the U.S. Capitol, with a maximum capacity of 4,000. I’m sure Satoko’s voice provides educative information about this site to Japanese tourists. So, do your family members and friends agree with your current path?
Absolutely, my family is very supportive about my career path. There’re the times when I’m struggling to find the right translation or the perfect tone for a voiceover. That’s when my husband and kids often step in with unexpectedly brilliant ideas. Their fresh perspectives can turn a challenge into a solution, and I find that incredibly helpful.
Sometimes, clients seek authentic and real voices that aren’t necessarily professional voiceovers. For instance, we worked on a video for Lexigo, an Australian company, explaining the Japanese concept of “ikigai.（いきがい）” .
Given the task was to elucidate a philosophical aspect of Japanese culture, they were looking for an English narrator with a Japanese accent, and I was hired for this project. Moreover, my husband also made a voice appearance in the video. It was such a unique and fun experience for us!
Additionally, I sometimes send YouTube links of videos that I voiced to my parents, who live far away. They’re always get so excited to see my work. Being able to strengthen my bond with my family through my voice work is something that brings me joy.
True. Family members often help solve issues and challenges we constantly face. To me, without my parents and my wife, I don’t think I reach this English proficiency. Oh, Satoko participated in a Japanese interview segment with Hana Ransom (ランサムはな / https://twitter.com/HanaKRansom) who was referred in my previous interview with Yuka Rice (ライス由香).
Like Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club,” alright, alright, alright. Let’s change the topic. Any favorite films, dramas, music, or other entertainment features?
“Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” is right at the top of my list. It’s one of those movies where you absolutely need a box of tissues! No matter how many times I watch it, I end up crying. As for Japanese animated movies, Makoto Shinkai’s “Suzume” was incredible.
Japan slightly changed its title to “HACHI 約束の犬.” Yakusoku (約束) means “promise” and Inu (犬) is “a dog.” The film was directed by renowned Swedish writer/director Lasse Hallstrom (ラッセ・ハルストレム) whose notable films like “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993, ギルバート・グレイプ),” “The Cider House Rules (1999, サイダーハウス・ルール),” and “Chocolat (2000, ショコラ).” I remember my wife watched this on Netflix some years ago (now not found) and she enjoyed it pretty much as a “heart-warming and never miss the point” film.
I haven’t watched “Suzume (2022, すずめの戸締まり),” but I enjoyed the recent Shinkai-kantoku (1973, 新海誠) “audience-friendly” works, and it received 96% with 7.9/10 on RT, then I better check “Suzume”! Oh, what kind of people do you love hanging around with?
I love being around people who contribute to making our community a better place. Their dedication to positive change is truly inspiring.
Totally agree! I used to be a negative and uninspiring obese Ossan (おっさん=disdainful way to call middle-aged man). But once I decided to first lose weight in 2019, able to trim 15kg (33lbs) by 2022, and started my Honmyouaka (本名垢=real name account) on Twitter with “perfectly drafted, thoroughly meant to improve my English writing skill” Tweets, many intelligent people got attracted to me.
Now, I transformed into “a highly creative, energetic, and positive” person who can communicate with hard-working professional people like Satoko. I can even conduct “Ippatsudori (一発録り=live-style recording)” verbal interviews with English-speaking people. I truly appreciate everyone who directly interacts with me. Oh, we’re getting close to the end, so let’s wrap up. Any message to those reading this interview?
Thanks for reading this far!
I truly believe that AI technology is advancing and having a greater impact on translation and voice over, but I also believe that humans possess unique abilities that cannot be replicated by AI. Our artistry, flexibility, insight, expression, elegance, emotion, and authenticity are all qualities that make us special. As a linguist, I hope that when you read Japanese content or watch movies or videos and hear voice actors, you can think of the amazing skills that we humans possess.
Thank you so much for your encouraging comment, Satoko! Despite “SKYNET” turned somehow “unfunny, no laughing” matter, as she pitched her positive words, I do believe machines will never be able to cheat humans because even on the verge of “some fxxked up sxxt,” we humans follow our natural instinct to figure out the way. Ok, finally, what is the most encouraging phrase that you recite when you want to pump up your motivation or crawl out from rock bottom?
Done is better than perfect.
When I Googled the above phrase, I found that the former COO of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg (1969-) pitched it in her book “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead (2013, LEAN IN 女性、仕事、リーダーへの意欲).” I’m sure Satoko knew this book, so hope you folks take a look at it too. Thank you very much, Satoko! So folks, if you are interested in Satoko, please follow her account. Truly appreciate your participation in this segment, Satoko! Wish your great success, and we’ll keep in touch.
Website:
X account (English) :
https://twitter.com/JapaneseVO_315
LinkedIn :
