Yoichi Miura: An Interpreter Guide Connecting with the World

After graduating from the Juku, I worked for a trading company and was stationed in London and Milan. Even after retiring and starting my own business, I continued to be involved in overseas work. However, considering it would be difficult to continue business trips abroad indefinitely, and driven by a desire to share the charms of Japan with foreigners visiting the country, I obtained my qualification as an English National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter at the age of 66 and began working as an interpreter guide. Just as the work was becoming interesting, human exchange with overseas countries came to a complete halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for two years, I was unable to do any work as an interpreter guide at all.

During this time, I belonged to the Tourism Nation Study Group of Directforce, a general incorporated association established by alumni of various companies to contribute to society. The research and preparations I conducted there in anticipation of the resumption of international exchange proved useful when things finally restarted.

In the fall of 2022, entry for foreigners finally resumed, and as reported in the media, the number of visitors to Japan has been increasing steadily since then. During this period, at the age of 73, I finally obtained my long-awaited qualification as a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Italian. Last year, I was able to guide visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, and other countries not only within Tokyo but also to various locations such as Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura, Shizuoka, Mt. Fuji, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto, totaling 64 days of guiding.

What makes this job interesting is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people. I have spoken closely with people I likely would never have had the chance to meet otherwise, such as celebrities I had seen on TV, the wife of a former prime minister of a certain country, and former diplomats. Their interests and concerns are diverse, and I must respond to everything from Japanese history and political systems to Japanese manners, mortgages, and even anime. The work of an interpreter guide requires the flexibility to respond immediately to any question. However, no matter how curious one is, it is impossible to answer every question instantly. Since many visitors now arrive in Japan after obtaining basic information online beforehand, I strive to provide information and topics that are difficult to find in guidebooks or on the internet.

Walking is the basis of this job, and on busy days I may walk more than 25,000 steps, but I intend to continue this work as long as my physical strength holds out and I can still speak. It is very encouraging to have several Keio University alumni among my fellow interpreter guides. If you are interested, why not take on the challenge?

*Affiliations and titles are those at the time of publication.