The translation/interpreting profession and industry in Japan is very fragmented, with a plethora of associations, many funded by tests marketed as 'qualifications'.
Founded in 1934, backed by the Ministry of Education (Japan) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). Primarily literary; original/official representative of the International Federation of Translators.
Founded in 1966, foundered in 1995. Had 13,000 “Licensed Technical Translators”.[1]
Founded in 1981, backed by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Despite a perception that members are primarily agencies, it has 130 corporates and 300 individual members.
Founded in 1993 by Itagaki Shinpei, also a director of JTF, and winner of Asahi Shimbun, Japan Times and Itabashi Bologna Book Fair prizes. Apparently inactive from around 2012 due to Itagaki's ill health.
Formed in 1980. Gave birth to JAT, but still has its own translator members, with a bias towards translators working for publication (somewhat like JST, but mainly Gaijin). Publishes the well-known Japan Style Sheet.
Formed from SWET in 1985. Over 700 members, predominantly non-Japanese. Organizes biennial IJET International Japanese-English Translation conferences, monthly meetings and social events.
Founded in 1986, backed by the Ministry of Labour (Japan). Connected with the BABEL university and publishing group.
Founded in 1990 as the Interpretation Research Association of Japan (IRAJ), later becoming the Japan Association for Interpretation Studies (JAIS) in 2000 and the current name in 2008. Around 350 members.
Founded in 2004 by private company Chizai Corporation, focused on patents.
Founded in 1968, following on from the (founded 1966).
Founded in 1991, originally as .
A collaboration between 5 private translation agencies.
Organized at Tokyo Medical University by J.P. Barron and Raoul Breugelmans, 1993-2012. It was an offshoot from JAT, focused on helping Japanese doctors communicate in English, with links throughout the world and some government funding. It created training resources such as actual video interviews with patients in Leicestershire (having various accents), and a 3-way glossary (Japanese, doctors' English, patients' English).
Founded in 2006, but website apparently defunct as of around 2010.
Has a Japan Chapter and West Japan Chapter, founded in 2008. The parent body was founded in 1986 in Massachusetts, and went 'international' in 2007; it has around 2000 members in total, and incorporates the (American) National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.
Founded in 2011.
Founded in 2011; around 30 members.
Founded in 2014.
Founded 1973, foundered 2008. Around 130,000 took its tests (通訳技能検定試験(通検) + ボランティア通訳検定試験（V通検）), of whom 38,000 passed.
Founded in 2011.
Founded in 2015; around 200 members (25 certified). Organizes annual JIF Japan Interpreting Forum conferences, quarterly seminars, and social events.
Founded 1953. Not Japan-centric, but has 8 interpreters based in Japan.[4]
Founded in 1991. 3000 members.