Tokyo Olympic Games

In preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Tochigi Prefecture concluded a so-called Host town convention with Hungary. This meant an opportunity for acclimatization training camp for the Hungarian Olympic competitors, just before the Olympics, in several cities in the prefecture.

In November 2017, the Governor of Tochigi Prefecture, Mr. Fukuda Tomikazu, paid an official visit to Hungary. He held talks with the president of the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB), Krisztián Kulcsár, and introduced the training camp opportunities in Tochigi to the representatives of the Hungarian sports organisations and unions. I was the official interpreter for the Japanese delegation throughout the visit.

In the summer of 2019, I received a request from Tochigi to represent the interests of Tochigi Prefecture and  Governor Fukuda as a bridge between the two countries, and to coordinate the preparation and organization of acclimatization training camps. That is why I created later my blog: www.kakehashi.hu.

In October 2019, Governor Fukuda invited me to Japan to present me personally my official credentials to begin my coordinating work. The other purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with the sports facilities and accommodations of the prefecture, where Hungarian athletes were expected before the Olympics.

February 2020 - As a result of my joint work with the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB), I managed to conclude MOU cooperation agreements with 10 Hungarian sports associations, so MOB President Krisztián Kulcsár traveled to Japan to confirm in an official signing ceremony the intention of the Hungarian side to use the training camps. 

I have been working as a Hungarian-Japanese interpreter for decades. I have high level language skills and I help my clients to achieve their business, corporate and private goals with precise work and the highest quality interpreting services.

In my work, it is important to prepare myself thoroughly, to handle different interpreting situations flexibly and empathetically, and to take intercultural differences into account. Besides good command in Japanese, I am well acquainted with the culture of the island country, the non-verbal communication, and the essential differences between Western and Eastern culture. These are all important for a successful business or diplomatic negotiation, as often a sentence or movement chosen in the right place and time can quickly inspire confidence in polite, more emotional, yet extremely sensitive Japanese people.

I also undertake accompanying and consecutive interpreting, their combination, as well as moderating at events.

As a tour guide, I have been dealing with Japanese tourists and tourist groups coming to Hungary for several decades, and in many cases I have accompanied Hungarians to Japan. In my work, I have always strived for maximum professional preparation, precise work, polite and respectful behavior, and building a personal, good relationship with my guests. I always consider individual needs and I am happy to help to prepare even a complete itinerary. In addition to traditional sightseeing, I also organize special programs.

I am ready to book accommodation and a restaurants for my guests, but I also recommend cultural programs (e.g. concerts, theater, folk dance show, cruise excursions, etc.). I also deal with transfer services. In addition to airport-hotel and hotel-airport transfers, on request I also arrange transfers for my guests to cities in neighboring European countries.

I undertake Japanese language teaching for individuals and groups interested in Japanese culture, both in person and online (Skype, Zoom, etc.).

In my language lessons, in addition to mastering words, the writing system and grammatical structures, I also put great emphasis on presenting Japanese culture, history and traditions. My goal is that my students to not only get to know Japan, but to love the country too!

I always adapt the framework of my education to the individual needs and goals of my clients. I try to compile a variety of curricula so that students can get many experiences and learn a foreign language as playfully and easily as possible.

• Teaching Hungarian for Japanese

Japanese living and working in Hungary have repeatedly asked me to teach them Hungarian. In my opinion teaching Hungarian language is useful because during the acquisition of language skills it is possible to get to know the cultural differences, the differences in lifestyle and the traditional customs. With the knowledge gained, the Japanese living here can get along more easily in their daily lives.

• English for Japanese

My name is associated with the introduction of English language teaching in state-run primary schools in Yamagata Prefecture. In the 1990s, teaching English officially began only in high school in the Japanese public school system. The results were not adequate, so there was a need to start teaching a foreign language earlier. The city of Yuza in Yamagata Prefecture organized teaching English in primary schools in 1995, on an experimental basis. I was tasked with planning the entire curriculum, syllabus and conducting the classes. As a Hungarian, I taught “English and International Cultures” in Japanese to 1,200 pupils in grade 6 of primary schools for one year. The initiative, which is unique in Japan, has been constantly monitored by the Japanese Ministry of Education, the Hungarian Embassy in Tokyo and the Japanese press. The pilot year has been so successful that it has been ongoing ever since, and teaching English from primary school onwards has become widespread nationwide.

• In 1993, I conducted a Japanese language course for beginners in a Hungarian high school in Dunajská Streda, Slovakia. I also compiled the complete curriculum and teaching methods.
  
  
• 1995-96 Teaching English in Japanese in elementary schools in Yuza, Japan
  
  
• I gave Japanese language course at János Kodolányi College in 2009
  
  
• Since 2017, I have been a member of the Hungarian Language Teachers Association (MJOT), where I regularly have the opportunity to conduct further trainings and obtain new teaching materials and books for trainings.

If you are looking for a partner for your business in Japan, or a Japanese investor has approached you, or you are going on a business trip to the country of the “Rising Sun”, I will be happy to help you as an interpreter, consultant, organizer. Knowledge of Japan’s economy, culture, language, and business environment is essential to build up a successful business relationship. Through my decades of professional experience, I can offer useful advice and new opportunities to interested clients. Through my activities, I create a foundation of trust, help to overcome communication difficulties, coordinate emerging needs and support successful collaborations.

So far, I have helped my business partners in many areas with my language skills and contact capital. Some examples of collaborations: Hungarian wines, paprika, Japanese saké, Hajdúság horseradish, mangalica, Herend porcelain, green pepper, goose liver, folk art souvenirs, works of fine art, etc.

With decades of experience, I provide high-quality translation services between Japanese-English-Hungarian in any combination for companies and individuals alike. Depending on the actual needs, my experienced professional translator partners help me with my work, therefore the translation services cover various areas: e.g. technical, medical, business, literary, etc. 

In addition to excellent value for money, advanced technical background and customer oriented attitude characterize the work of the Kakehashi team.