Possible disruption of the Japan-US Balance of EJ/JE Freelance Translation?

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Warren Smith

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Dec 24, 2024, 12:46:41 PM12/24/24
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I have not read or analyzed this, but if it has the same effects as the similar measure in California, it could make Japanese freelancers more expensive:

 

https://www.manpower.com.sg/blog/2024/12/hr-compliance-japans-new-freelancer-protection-act?blaid=6876237&source=linkedin.com

 

I have a friend who is an expert on Japanese law that I will ask about this. Has anybody on this line looked at the anticipated effects on the freelance translation industry?

 

Warren

Bill Lise

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Dec 24, 2024, 2:01:17 PM12/24/24
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Warren, 
I’m not sure what you mean by making Japanese translators more expensive. To whom? 
My understanding of this law is that it was made to address the grievances of contract employees who are mostly brokered into contractual work at a company location and paid for hourly work. That is rarely the case for translators working for agencies in Japan. And I don’t think this will affect the dealings between translators in Japan and entities outside Japan. 
And some of the issues it addressed are not common with translators in Japan working for agencies in Japan. Non-payment or delayed payment, for example.
Japanese entities that use translators in Japan are much better than some of the horror stories we hear about agencies elsewhere. 
I don’t think this law will change much for translators anywhere. 
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Warren Smith

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Dec 24, 2024, 2:30:55 PM12/24/24
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When a similar-sounding law was passed in California some years ago there were concerns that compliance would add substantially to the cost of using California translators, and some major translation companies discussed the possibility that it would be necessary to cut ties with California-based freelancers. While I do not recall what the ultimate effects of the law ended up, it is possible that regulatory costs could change the calculus somewhat, disadvantaging Japan-based freelancers.

 

But, as I have said, I have not yet read or analyzed the new law, and my posting was to put it on the radar screen to see if someone else on this line has.

 

W

 

Bill Lise

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Dec 24, 2024, 3:25:17 PM12/24/24
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I recall talk of that law in California. My understanding of it was that the issue was whether freelance translators were independent contractors or should be treated as employees. 


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