K-iTG

Continuous Contribution to and Growth in Today’s International Society

Message

           Recently the need for human resource development of interpreters, translators and guide-interpreters has been advocated as it is essential to enhance inbound tourism in Japan by taking advantage of their abilities and skills. Moreover, the need for sharing local tourism information across regions is increasing.

           To realize the above-mentioned, we believe it is important for members of our association to cooperate mutually and share our information and knowledge with each other, as well as to further improve our own abilities as interpreters, translators and guide-interpreters. We also aim to promote and advance in quality and position of each member of our association. To this end, K-iTG takes out group insurance for registered members in order to compensate for damages during work and reduce risks on the job.

           Under the revised National Government Licensed Guide Interpreters Act, K-iTG was certified as the first registered training organization in Japan by Japan Tourism Agency in September 2019.

           Under such fast-changing circumstances, K-iTG aims to contribute to development in the international tourism business and to promote international goodwill.

           As responsible members of our society, we have in mind to build good relationships with more groups and individuals and cooperate with them to fulfill our social responsibilities for promoting a better society in the future.

           We would like to ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.

Mizuho Mizutani

Representative Director

WFTGA
K-iTG is a full member of WFTGA.

K-iTG is bidding to host the WFTGA Convention 2026, in Fukuoka City.
With the support of the Japanese government (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Japan Tourism Agency) and many other related organizations and companies, we have been working to attract the WFTGA Convention to Fukuoka City, which is expected to contribute to revitalizing the local economy and promoting international exchange. The final selection to determine the host site for the WFTGA Convention 2026, will take place at the WFTGA Convention 2024 in Sicily, Italy, from January 19 to 29, 2024.
Please click the WFTGA2026 logo for our “e-brochure.”

About K-iTG

Name: Kyushu Association of Interpreters, Translators and Guide-Interpreters

Representative: Mizuho Mizutani

Address: 13-28-4F Tamagawa-machi, Minami-ku, Fukuoka City, 815-0037

Telephone: 092-710-1150

Facsimile: 092-710-3122

Established: April 2018

Membership: 150 individual members, 4 corporate members (as of Feb 2020)

History of K-iTG

Feb 2018 Held promoters’ meeting

Apr 2018 Held inaugural meeting

Apr 2018 Held commemorative speech at inaugural meeting

 (Guest speaker: Ms. Joy Michiko Sakurai, Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate Fukuoka)

Jun 2018 Sold tickets to foreign residents in Japan for O-KABUKI performed at Hakataza theatre

Jun 2018 Made mutual membership agreement with Fukuoka Japan-British Society

Jul 2018 Offered National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter exam-preparation course

Jul 2018 Offered itinerary control manager training programs at Nagasaki branch

Sep 2019 Certified as the first registered training organization in Japan by Japan Tourism Agency

Oct 2019 Made Mutual membership agreement with Fukuoka France-Japan Association

Major Customers

U.S. Consulate Fukuoka, Congress Global Communications Co., Ltd., Yamaha Travel Service, Co., Ltd., Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, International Affairs Division, Nippon Travel Agency, Co., Ltd., Fukuoka Regional Taxation Bureau, Kyushu Economy International (KEI), JETRO Saga, 長崎県若者定着課, Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau, TEI Inc., Cab Station, Co., Ltd., EXest Inc., The Japan Magnesium Association, Local Development Lab Inc., Air Traffic Control Association, Japan, Kyusyu Tourism Promotion Organization, Marriage For All Japan, Takachiho Tourist Association, 長崎県福祉保健部長寿社会課, Samurai Tours, The Fukuoka Japan-British Society, Ieyasu Corporation, JAPAN EXPERIENCE, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan Tour Guide Service (JTGS), 27)All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Buffalo Tours, Unique Japan Tours, 有限会社日本トラベルKIKO, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, ASIA NETTOUR Co., Ltd.

Languages Available

English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese), Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Nepali, Tamil

Organizational Structure

1. Translators Dept.

           Provides experienced translators of various languages, including minority languages

           Publishes guidebooks of Kyushu

2. Guides Dept.

           Offers various training programs and courses designed to provide advanced guide-interpreter skills

           Shares information among registered guides

3. Training Dept.

           Provides support and opportunities for members to learn about tourist guide duties and prepare for National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter qualification tests

           Offers National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter exam-preparation course and itinerary control manager training programs, etc.

Street address

4F Tsuruta bldg. 13-28, Tamagawa-machi, Minami-ku,Fukuoka City, Fukuoka

Google MAP

Mail: information@k-itg.com

TEL:+81-92-710-1150

Guidance on joining Kyushu Association of Interpreters, Translators and Guide-Interpreters
To join our association, please use one of the application forms to register.

• Online application (a Google account is needed)
• Excel application form *After downloading, please fill out all the necessary details before sending the file as an attachment via email.
• PDF application

Please send the application form to this email address: application@k-itg.or.jp

Guidance on Joining (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this association necessary?
We felt that there is a need for an organization where interpreters, translators, and guide-interpreters can make a contribution to the international society in various forms and settings. We also thought that there are a lot of vulnerable, freelancing interpreters, translators, and guide-interpreters who need protection from a local association here in Kyushu. We plan to be an association that continues to exist even if the chairmen or directors may change.

Q: Can I become a member even if I don’t live in Kyushu?
You can become a member regardless of where you live.

Q: What are the objectives of the association?
The association has 3 core objectives:

To be an association that acts as a shield for freelancing interpreters, translators, and guide-interpreters.

1. Our association is the first in Kyushu to offer group insurance so that members can feel reassured in their work environment.
2. The association will be an organization that will be able to offer opinions to government agencies and agents so that treatment and pay does not worsen.
3. In cases where no payment is made for your services, we will offer consultation on the matter.

To be an association that improves the skills of its members

1. We will establish an environment where members can make contributions to the international society.
2. We are applying for registration to become a registered training institution of the Japan Tourism Agency. We provide training for newcomers such as guide-interpreters and so on, practical training, and various other types of training for interpreters and translators.
3. We will establish a place in which to exchange information.

To be an association that broadens the opportunities of its members

1. We establish contacts between individual and corporate members as well as among members within the association.

Q: Is the association an employment agency?
We are not an employment agency, and therefore we are unable to refer members for jobs. However, work may be offered from the association’s business division.

Q: What exactly is a general incorporated association?
It is a non-profit organisation that does not aim to make a profit. Although it is a non-profit organization, business operations are not limited to purposes of public interest. Just like a corporation for profit, we are able to partake in business activities for profit and non-profit.

Q: What shall I do if I have a job request for the association?
For a private-sector request, it will normally be entrusted to our corporate members.

In this case, the association will make a request so as to secure fair compensation and treatment for the person engaged in the work.

In cases where a request is made from a government agency, we can accept the request and undertake it by establishing a project team from our members. Whether we choose to outsource the job to a different company or undertake it ourselves depends on the content of the particular job.

Q: What kind of work is requested from a government agency?
Mostly projects that involve the invitation of guests to Japan and the monitoring of tours. In these cases, we will plan and implement a part of the invitation project, but the whole of the monitoring tour.

Q: What kind of training do you offer?
We plan to hold training for new guide-interpreters, mandatory training due to the revision of laws and regulations for professional guide-interpreters implemented by a registered training group, practical training in accordance with this, and other training thought to be necessary for interpreters, translators, and guide-interpreters.
We also welcome training programs proposed or conducted by our members.

We want to further share information among our members through carrying out voluntary training programs.

We hope that flexible and open training sessions will cause our members to reach an even higher level.

Q: Why are there regular members and associate members?
For corporate members, there is a difference in privileges between regular members and associate members.

For individual members, one of the goals is to improve the quality of our members, and thus these two types were established.

Q: What is the difference between individual regular members and associate members?

In the case of guide-interpreters, regular members are certified, while associate members are not.

Translators and interpreters apply to join themselves on an individual basis.

The membership fee and privileges are the same for both regular members and associate members.

Q: What are the benefits for members?
Members can participate in projects that make a contribution to the international society.

Members can be involved in consigned business projects.

A first for Kyushu, members have the opportunity to apply for non-life insurance that covers them during work. This insurance cannot be taken out on an individual basis.

For events and training hosted by the association, members can make advanced reservations and acquire a discount.

There are also more discounts for corporate members for training programs.

We share general information with our members, which allows them to widen their range of work.

Q: What is the membership fee used for?
The membership fee is used to pay for the association’s group insurance and to cover any management costs.

Q: Do members have to enrol in the group insurance plan?
Yes. This association is based on serving one another, and therefore when you join the association and become a member, you will automatically join the insurance plan as well.

Q: In order to receive insurance, do I have to inform the association of my work beforehand?
Yes. If we are not aware that you are working, you will not be covered by the insurance.

Q: How should I report to the association beforehand?
Please let us know via email or application form on our website.

We have an Excel form available for you to use.

Any changes or corrections made to the document can also be reported to us with just a simple email.

For insurance applications, we will confirm whether a report has been made beforehand before applying.

Q: Are preparation visits and on-site translation research covered by insurance?
Yes. Visits to prepare oneself for guide related work and on-site translation research are regarded as business activities.

Training required for work is also covered by our insurance.

Q: Is work overseas covered by the insurance?
No. The insurance only covers work within Japan.