24hr interpreter

[Anonymous]

does anyone know if there's a 24hr emergency phone number foreigners can call here in japan if they need an interpreter urgently? if so, what's the phone number? please let us know, thanks.

[trip_hop]

Is it Medical? Business? Social? Legal?
Why do you need such a service? What area do you live in?
Some prefectures have "irio-tsuyaku" service for medical emergency services, while some overseas phone services such as ATT can arrange a bilingual person to come in on the call. The police also have some access to similar services.
Some of the larger embassies can obtain interpreting services if there is a bona fide legal emergency, some of the bigger hotels can also assist.
Can you please be more specific of your needs/ potential needs, and also what kind of budget are you prepared to pay? Or do you want it free?

[James]

Calm down a bit TH.

You're asking some questions that need not be asked.

If you want to help Davy and you know of a 24 hour interpreter service somewhere in Japan then why not just introduce the service that you know???? Enough of this "what's your blood type? Are you gay or straight? etc....." bit of business.

You could simply write, 'I know of a service in Sapporo. The number is 123-456-0789. They don't come cheap but they are certified.' I hope that helps you out.

**"Why do you need such a service?"** CHRIST!!!!!!!! None of your business!!! Do you know of one or not?

[trip_hop]

James - there are general interpreters, volunteers and professionals, who cannot and do not medical work, legal work, police work etc. It is just a simple question. They are no use if he has a hospital problem, legal problem etc. You have heard of liability and responsibility?

I do not care either about his sexual preferences or blood type, but I am trying to find out what kind of service he actually needs. Then I'll give answer.

OK?

[trip_hop]

As a follow-up, just spoke to a couple of local interpreters who reiterated my earlier comment. Some prefectures have 24 hour volunteer medical interpreters, paid for and covered by the govt, and organised by the local hospitals and prefectural office; while the police have access to registered volunteers too. Those services cannot be accessed by the general public. But are available if needed. Neither of my friends - general interpreters - would do that work, as they worry about making mistakes with specialist medical vocabulary, and none of them like working with the police or lawyers.

If he wants business interpreting at short notice, there are firms such as JCS/ Simul/ AIT/ IIJ/ and freelances in the phone book. Those services are not free.

Tsu-yakun will do 24 hour work by phone. There are all in Tokyo.
In Osaka, there are IIJ/ Si-On, Kansai Interpreting Centre. Other areas are covered in NTT Town Pages.

FYI, a top medical or business interpreter here would charge 70,000\ for a half day, 120,000\ for a full day, plus 10,000\ daily allowance, travel costs, any accommodation. An average general interpreter would be 40,000-70,000\/ day.

If he answered the question, I could give him a better answer. And if you knew anything about interpreting services and liability issues, you would realise why I asked those questions.