Report on the 2025 Subtitling Translation Internship Conducted by Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy (JVTA)

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) Training Program for Trans-Pacific Bridge Persons (TP-Bridge) co-hosts the subtitling internship organized by Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy (JVTA). In 2025, approximately 50 students from both Japan and abroad participated in the internship. Over the course of three and a half months, they collaborated on subtitling projects and actively engaged in promotional activities and the organization of talk sessions for the screening event.

As the culmination of their efforts, a screening event was held at TUFS Cinema on July 6, showcasing two documentaries — “DAY ZERO | Austria and Bhutan - A Glimpse Into the Future” and “The Reformist - A Female Imam” — each followed by a talk session. In addition, from July 3 to 13, three films—including the two above as well as “A Story of Dementia and a Message of Hope”—were made available for on-demand streaming as WATCH 2025.

In this report, we interviewed the interns to share the knowledge and experiences they gained through the internship program.

Interviewees:

• Jenny Ventura (California State University, Northridge, Department of Computer Science, Fourth Year)
• Arisa Mizuno (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, School of International and Area Studies, Department of German Studies, Fourth Year)
• Ayano Kondo (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, School of International and Area Studies, Department of English Studies, Fourth Year)
• Rio Murakami（Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Graduate School of Global Studies, Language and Culture Course, M.A. Program, First Year）

Motivation and expectations for participation

———What motivated you to apply for this internship, and what were your expectations at the time of application?

Ventura　When I heard about this internship, I was hoping it would be a good opportunity to learn more about the translation field and further develop my language skills. I had been expecting it to be challenging, but I still really wanted to give it a try.

Mizuno　 I participated in this internship from Germany, where I was studying for one year as an exchange student. During my time there, I had many opportunities to reflect on multicultural understanding and environmental issues, and I wanted to explore these topics further on my own. I became interested in this project, which involved gaining insights into social issues through the creation of subtitles for SDGs-related documentary films and sharing those insights with society, and I decided to join.

Kondo　I had always been interested in subtitling, and I was drawn to the phrase in the recruitment notice that said we would receive professional guidance. That was a big reason I applied. I was also interested in the topic of gender in Islam, which the film focused on, and I expected that the translation work would help me deepen my understanding of it.

Murakami　I had to take a leave of absence from university, and as I was looking for a way to make the most of that time, I came across this opportunity. I already had some connections with audiovisual translators and had been interested in the field, so I was hoping to learn through hands-on experience. Like Kondo-san, I was also interested in the relationship between Islam and gender, and one of the reasons I applied was the possibility of gaining a new perspective for my research through the internship.

Memorable experiences and challenges

———What was the most memorable experience or the most challenging aspect during your internship?

Ventura　For me, the most challenging aspect was providing my own interpretation rather than relying on a direct translation. I was worried that whatever I wrote would not be good enough to get the correct meaning across or provide a good flow for the sentences. My most memorable experience was when I saw our finished work.

Mizuno　 I agree. The impression that viewers receive depends heavily on whether or not the translator accurately grasps the nuance of the original text. In order to convey information clearly and accurately through subtitles, it's not enough to just translate the speech literally. It’s extremely difficult, yet essential, to “express things in a multidimensional way” based on background knowledge of the context.

Kondo　In addition to subtitling, I was also involved in planning and organizing the film screening, and I particularly remember the process of developing questions for the talk session held after the screening. We aimed to create questions that would help the audience understand the content better and develop a deeper interest. I believe this was a crucial part of learning about and reflecting on other cultures—something closely tied to the core values of the SDGs.

Murakami　It was challenging to ensure the meaning was conveyed while adhering to the constraints specific to subtitles. Since the work was done collaboratively, we also had to coordinate vocabulary and tone among the team, which was another difficulty. What left a strong impression on me was how, although I had initially been focused on delivering our message to the audience through translation, publicity, and planning the talk session, I myself became increasingly engaged with SDGs and news related to the film’s themes over time.

Mizuno　Yes, everyone struggled with the constraints of subtitling… For the sections I was responsible for, it was necessary to become something like an expert. At the same time, since collaboration with other members whose content overlapped was also required, I had to accept limitations on vocabulary, expressions, and tone, and find better ways to express the meaning by carefully balancing my knowledge with those constraints. When I was stuck, the ideas I received from teammates helped me over and over again.

Growth and future impact

———What skills or knowledge did you gain through the internship? How do you think this experience will influence your future career or academic path?

Ventura　Thanks to this internship, I was able to learn about how translation works in a professional setting and better my understanding of the Japanese language. Although my major is computer science, I am also studying Japanese and have been considering different career paths. Therefore, since this internship has allowed me to experience translation work firsthand, I’m now more able to consider it as a serious future career choice.

Mizuno　 There were many occasions where the subtitles I thought were the best didn’t come across clearly to others, or where I received completely different ideas from someone with a different perspective. I think I developed the ability to take a step back from what I thought was the “right” answer, and to flexibly improve my ideas through exchanging opinions and comparing various viewpoints, ultimately reaching better outcomes.

Kondo　It was a valuable experience to think about what kind of knowledge could be gained through the film and how interest in the subject could be expanded. Working with other students with diverse interests to shape our ideas together also helped me realize how important it is to consider things from multiple perspectives.

Murakami　Since I was involved in multiple roles—translation, publicity, and planning talk sessions—I felt that I gained the ability to multitask and work closely with team members. Unlike my usual student life, I had the opportunity to collaborate with people from different years and universities, which made for a truly valuable experience.

Message to students considering participation

———If you have any messages or advice for students interested in this internship, please share them.

Ventura　I would say to go for it, even if you’re worried you might make a mistake, you can always work through it and grow from it. If you join, you’ll be able to learn a lot and maybe even find you really enjoy translation work.

Mizuno　 This internship brings together students who are highly interested in social and global issues, and through teamwork, they are able to apply their individual expertise in collaborative ways. It’s an extremely rewarding learning experience. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Kondo　Whether you’re interested in subtitling or social issues, this is a great opportunity to learn a lot. The sense of accomplishment at the end is also huge, so I definitely encourage you to take part.

Murakami　This internship offers opportunities to learn not only about audiovisual translation but also about social issues. This experience also made me more interested in the news related to the films we were working on. The staff at the Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy provided detailed feedback, so even if you’re not confident in your English skills or translation ability, I encourage you to give it a try.

Thanks

In organizing the subtitling internship program, TP-Bridge would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Tetsuji Sakurai of Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy, and all those involved, for their dedicated efforts and the thoughtful guidance they provided to the interns.
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The TP-Bridge program will continue this internship in the coming years. We also offer the online program, on-campus program, and on-site program (including overseas study tours). For more details, please visit TP-Bridge | Tokyo University of Foreign Studies website!
https://www.tufs.ac.jp/tp-bridge/

Contact to TP-Bridge:

TP-Bridge Office, Inter-University Exchange Project (U.S., etc.)
tenkai-bridge-coordinator[at]tufs.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with @ when sending)