Literary Fiction
Novels, short fiction, and other literary works.
Mayu Okazaki
English-to-Japanese Translator
Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and film.
I translate stories with close attention to voice, rhythm, character, tone, and atmosphere—shaping each work for Japanese readers without flattening what makes the original distinctive.
What I Translate
Narrative Nonfiction
Memoirs, personal essays, and other story-driven nonfiction.
Film & Subtitles
Subtitle translation for films and other audiovisual projects.
Approach
My academic background in literature and translation theory continues to shape how I work. I look closely at how voice, rhythm, imagery, structure, and context create meaning, then consider how those effects can be carried into Japanese—not through literal rendering alone, but with attention to the work as a whole.
About
Mayu Okazaki studied contemporary literature at the University of Tokyo and continued her research there at the graduate level. Her academic work also explored the relationship between literature and cinema. She studied translation theory in depth, an interest that continues to inform her approach to both written and audiovisual translation.
She later worked in publishing, editing English-learning materials for a broad readership, including work on NHK English-learning publications. Her professional background also includes digital content production.
She now focuses on English-to-Japanese translation for literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and film, bringing together close reading, editorial experience, and careful attention to how a work will be experienced by Japanese readers and viewers.
Let’s work together
For translation inquiries and project discussions, please get in touch.