Japanese Website Proofreading for E-Commerce Sites Targeting Japanese Customers

When presenting product or service descriptions in Japanese on your website, quality is everything. A single unnatural expression can undermine credibility—and even sales.

Especially for content written or translated by non-native speakers, professional proofreading and legal checks are essential to eliminate subtle awkwardness and ensure clarity.

What Is Japanese Website Proofreading?

Proofreading for Japanese websites involves reviewing and refining already written Japanese content—correcting grammar, vocabulary, unnatural phrasing, and typographical issues.

Translated or non-native Japanese content often includes expressions that may be grammatically correct, but sound unnatural or are difficult to understand. The same goes for content generated by AI.

Proofreading goes far beyond fixing typos. It's about transforming your text into a natural, persuasive, and reader-friendly experience. For business websites, it's also key to maintaining brand credibility and reducing legal risks.

Why Native Proofreading Matters

The main reason for involving a native professional is to eliminate subtle unnatural expressions—not just surface-level mistakes. Content written by language learners or translated by AI often contains phrasing that, while technically accurate, doesn't sound right to native speakers.

For example, Japanese favors indirect and nuanced expressions. Direct translations from English often miss this tone, which can raise red flags for Japanese users.

This is especially critical for product descriptions and service pages, where trustworthiness is essential.

More importantly, Japanese users are extremely sensitive to linguistic nuances. Unnatural language on a website often triggers suspicion, causing potential customers to leave without converting.

In fact, the Japanese government has warned consumers to be cautious of websites with unnatural Japanese, as they are often associated with scams or illegal products.

Common Pitfalls in Translation (Foreign Language → Japanese)

Here are some typical mistakes seen in Japanese translations:

Overly literal translations

  e.g., “我々はあなたのビジネスを助けます” – a direct translation of “We help your business,” which sounds awkward in Japanese.

Unnatural word order

  e.g., “私たちの会社は、製品を提供します、世界中の顧客に” – a sentence that mirrors English syntax rather than natural Japanese structure.

Incorrect use of honorifics

  e.g., “あなた様のために、我々は努力いたします” – an awkward mix of formal tones and expressions.

Wrong or inappropriate kanji

  e.g., using Chinese-only characters not used in modern Japanese.

To avoid these issues, it’s not enough to aim for accurate translation—you need culturally aware, idiomatic Japanese that meets the expectations of native readers.

What’s Included in Our Professional Proofreading?

Professional Japanese proofreading involves reviewing your content with these goals in mind:

• Grammatical accuracy – particle use, verb forms, tense, etc.
• Natural phrasing – expressions that feel authentic to native speakers.
• Improved readability – punctuation, sentence length, and paragraph structure.
• Tone and consistency – appropriate use of honorifics and consistent voice for business communication.

At LingalCheck, we go one step further. Along with language refinement, we provide legal checks to ensure that your wording aligns with Japanese regulations, helping you avoid risks while building a trustworthy brand.

Should You Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?

While self-proofreading may seem cost-effective, it comes with limitations:

• You miss your own mistakes – It’s hard to spot errors in your own writing.
• Lack of linguistic instinct – Subtle “off” expressions may go unnoticed if you're not native.
• Time-consuming – Thorough proofreading and legal reviews take significant effort.

By hiring professionals, you benefit from:

• High-quality and trustworthy content
• Improved brand image
• Reduced legal risk

— all delivered in a short turnaround time.

Real Example (Before & After)

Before:

私たちはグローバルな顧客に対し信頼されるサービスを提供することを目的として活動しています。

After:

私たちは、世界中のお客様に信頼されるサービスを提供することを目指しています。

What Changed:

• Adjusted word order for natural flow
• Removed redundant phrasing ("目的として活動しています")
• Rephrased “グローバルな顧客” to the more natural “世界中のお客様”

Even small changes can significantly improve the impact of your message.

Is Proofreading Enough? Why Legal Checks Matter

While proofreading focuses on language accuracy and tone, legal checking addresses compliance with Japanese laws and guidelines, such as:

• Prohibited advertising phrases in Japan
• Statements that resemble those officially flagged by government agencies
• Risky expressions that could trigger user complaints or legal scrutiny

Even fluent Japanese-speaking foreigners may struggle to interpret and comply with such nuanced legal requirements. In fact, even Japanese companies sometimes face penalties due to misunderstandings.

Think of proofreading as your offensive tool to increase sales, and legal checks as your defensive shield against risk. Together, they provide a solid foundation for trust and compliance.

Why Choose LingalCheck?

LingalCheck offers specialized support for improving Japanese website content—both linguistically and legally.

• Dual review system by Japanese natives and legal professionals
• Proofreaders with expertise in law, business, and marketing
• Short turnaround and emergency services available

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Quality Japanese = Trust & Sales

Your website is your business’s front face. Its language quality directly influences how customers perceive your brand. Especially for content translated from a foreign language, professional proofreading and legal checks are essential.

LingalCheck is here to help you confidently break into the Japanese market—with language and legal accuracy that earns trust and drives results.