On July 9, 2026, an innovative career education initiative took place at Yuri High School in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture. High school students studying foreign languages experienced the work of “police interpreters” in a role-playing program organized by the Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters. The initiative aimed to help students understand how their language studies can be applied in society and to encourage future recruitment into police services.
Thirty-five third-year students from the school’s International Studies Department participated, using their English and Chinese language skills to simulate real-world scenarios: guiding foreign visitors at a police box, assisting foreign nationals involved in traffic accidents, and interpreting police procedures.
- What is a Police Interpreter? — Roles and Significance
- Career Education Value for High School Students
- Generation Z’s Demand for Practical Learning and Clear Purpose
- Language Proficiency Alone is Not Enough — The Importance of Cross-Cultural Understanding and Education
- Skills That Cannot Be Measured by Test Scores Alone
- Relevance to Foreign Residents, Their Families, and Employers
- Future Development and Expectations — Wider, Deeper, and More Global
- Conclusion — Looking Beyond Language to See the People
What is a Police Interpreter? — Roles and Significance
A police interpreter is a specialized professional who bridges communication between foreign nationals and Japanese authorities in police operations. Approximately 30 interpreters are currently registered with the Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters, providing services such as interpreting during interrogations, translating evidence documents, and explaining legal procedures to foreign suspects and victims.
As the number of foreign residents and tourists in Japan continues to rise, the need for accurate and culturally sensitive communication in law enforcement has become increasingly critical. Police interpreters play an essential role in ensuring fairness and equality under the law, regardless of language or cultural background.
Career Education Value for High School Students
One of the most significant aspects of this initiative is that it introduces the profession of police interpreter to students at an early stage—during high school.
For many students, learning a foreign language is often viewed merely as a subject required for university entrance exams or as a vague tool for international exchange. However, through this hands-on experience, students gained a concrete understanding that foreign languages are practical tools that can help people, contribute to society, and provide a means of earning a livelihood.
Student feedback included comments such as:
- “I learned that I could work as a translator for police officers, and it seemed interesting. It broadened my career options.”
- “It was difficult to find the right words when trying to use complex expressions. I have great respect for police officers who deal with foreign nationals regularly.”
This initiative went beyond a simple career introduction; it helped students rediscover the meaning and purpose of their studies.
Generation Z’s Demand for Practical Learning and Clear Purpose
Today’s younger generation, often referred to as Generation Z and beyond, places strong emphasis on cost-performance (cost-effectiveness) and time-performance (time-effectiveness).
They frequently ask questions such as:
- “How will this knowledge be useful in the future?”
- “Why do I need to learn this now?”
For students with this mindset, experiences that connect learning to real-world applications are extremely valuable.
Sustaining motivation in learning requires clarity of purpose. When that purpose is tied to concrete outcomes—such as future career prospects, income potential, or social contribution—learning becomes significantly more meaningful and profound.
Language Proficiency Alone is Not Enough — The Importance of Cross-Cultural Understanding and Education
At the same time, when we consider the true nature of the police interpreter profession, it becomes clear that simply “being able to speak English” or “knowing Chinese” is insufficient.
Police interpreters often work in situations that can significantly impact the lives of foreign nationals. Interrogations, accident reports, victim statements, arrests, prosecutions—in all these contexts, every word and phrase in translation can influence legal judgments.
The following competencies are essential:
1. Cross-Cultural Understanding and Tolerance
Without understanding the culture, values, and customs of the other party’s country, accurate translation is impossible. For example, while apologizing is considered a standard social practice in Japan, in some cultures, an apology may be perceived as an admission of guilt.
2. Deep Understanding of Japan’s Legal and Social Systems
To explain Japanese systems clearly to foreign nationals, interpreters must first have a thorough and accurate understanding of those systems themselves.
3. Broad Knowledge and Flexible Expression
When literal translation does not convey the intended meaning, interpreters must be able to paraphrase appropriately and choose expressions that the listener can easily understand. This requires not only language skills but also broad knowledge and human insight.
Skills That Cannot Be Measured by Test Scores Alone
In Japan’s current educational environment, there is a tendency to emphasize quantitative assessments such as “Eiken Grade ○” or “TOEIC ○ points.” While these are useful indicators of language proficiency, they do not fully capture what is required in real-world professional contexts.
Particularly in interpretation work, the following abilities are critical:
- The ability to infer the background and context of the speaker
- The ability to read cultural nuances
- The ability to empathize with the speaker’s emotions while maintaining objectivity in conveying their words
These are comprehensive human skills that go beyond language ability.
Therefore, for young people aspiring to become police interpreters or pursue international careers, it is essential to go beyond language study and engage in experiences such as:
- Direct interaction with people from different cultural backgrounds
- Regular exposure to foreign news, literature, films, and media
- Interest in diverse fields such as history, philosophy, law, and sociology
- Cultivating an attitude of respect and acceptance toward values different from one’s own
Relevance to Foreign Residents, Their Families, and Employers
This initiative is also relevant to foreign residents in Japan, their families, and companies that employ foreign workers.
Many foreign nationals living in Japan face challenges related to language barriers, cultural differences, and the complexity of administrative systems. Whether it’s visa applications, renewal of residence status, workplace disputes, medical consultations, or children’s education, every situation requires accurate understanding and communication.
In such circumstances, the presence of professionals who not only speak the language but also understand cultural backgrounds and respond with empathy is invaluable. Those who have experienced these challenges understand this better than anyone.
From the perspective of corporate HR managers and executives, the importance of employees who possess not only language skills but also “cultural competency” is increasingly recognized in facilitating communication with foreign staff.
Future Development and Expectations — Wider, Deeper, and More Global
The Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters plans to continue this initiative in 2026, targeting three schools including Yuri High School.
It is hoped that such programs will expand nationwide and evolve to include the following steps:
- Expansion of multilingual support — Beyond English and Chinese, include languages such as Vietnamese, Nepali, and Tagalog, reflecting the actual linguistic diversity of foreign communities in Japan
- Incorporation of cross-cultural education programs — Not limited to language experience, but including workshops on cultural and value differences
- Ongoing interaction with professionals — Providing opportunities for dialogue with active police interpreters, administrative scriveners, and multicultural coordinators
- Visualization of career paths — Introducing diverse career options beyond police interpreting, such as medical interpreting, legal interpreting, and in-house corporate interpreting
Conclusion — Looking Beyond Language to See the People
The “Police Interpreter Experience” organized by the Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters provided high school students with a highly meaningful career education opportunity.
This initiative deserves high praise for helping students shift their perception of language learning from “a test subject” to “a practical tool for society,” and for broadening their future career options.
However, it is equally important to convey the true essence of the police interpreter profession—the serious responsibility of influencing the lives of foreign nationals, the necessity of cross-cultural understanding, and the importance of broad education and human character.
Language is merely a “tool.” What lies beyond it are people.
To build a society where foreign residents can live with peace of mind, workplaces where diverse cultures are respected, and equality under the law where everyone is treated fairly—developing human resources who possess both language skills and human qualities is more essential now than ever.
I hope that the younger generation will look broadly to the world, experience diverse values, and cultivate the power to connect people with people.
Reference Article:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2b66c51d2c9e9c46831de2f9445e3e5d0c4689de
