About Truphotos
Introduction
Hi!
I am a Japanese-English interpreter/translator and landscape photographer from Singapore. I enjoy photography, backpack travelling, and finding out more about the Japanese language.
I cannot get enough of anything related to the Japanese language, from incomprehensible Kanji, to phonology and idioms.
For food, I cannot get enough of noodles, regardless of whether it’s Chinese, Japanese buckwheat, ramen, udon, spaghetti etc.
My first contact with the Japanese language was when I was only 12 years old. A Japanese drama happened to be broadcast on TV and I was mesmerised by the phonology and writing style of the language. The name of the drama was Angry Innocence (家なき子) by Adachi Yumi. I cannot remember much about the content of the drama, but the language itself left a lasting impression.
I did not have a chance to get in touch with studying Japanese until after entering University when I took the plunge and chose Japanese Studies as my major after years of being in the Science stream, baffling friends and relatives. I am glad I did. It opened my horizons to another culture and world different from mine through close interactions with people from all walks of life. I was also given a few opportunities to further my studies in different parts of Japan. These experiences made me more aware of other cultures as well as changed my perspectives towards life.
My ambition of becoming an interpreter started when I happened to catch a Japanese music show on TV (again!) where there was a foreign singer accompanied by an interpreter. Never did I think that such an occupation/profession exists until that day. As expected, that also left a tremendously deep impression on me, and became my dream job from that time on.
Many of the photos that you find here are taken during my exploration trips around different parts of Japan, from rural Aomori and Iwate in the north, to metropolitan Tokyo, down to the Kansai area consisting of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Wakayama, as well as the Sanin region of Tottori, Shimane and Yamaguchi further down. Personally, I prefer to travel to rural towns and countryside regions that are abundant in nature compared to large cities.
Photos are taken with Nikon D60, 16-85VR, 35 f1.8.
Profile
Occupation: Japanese-English interpreter/translator
Languages: English, Mandarin, Japanese
Education
2007 Osaka University, Minoh campus (under the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Japanese language and culture study scholarship)
2006 Keio University, Mita campus (Student exchange program)
2004 Kyushu University, Hakozaki campus (Short-term exchange program)
2003 National University of Singapore, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty, Japanese Studies major
Achievements
2008 Solo photo exhibition at Minoh Citizen’s Activity Centre, Minoh City, Osaka prefecture, Japan
2008 Solo photo exhibition at Osaka Prefectural Central Library, Higashi-Osaka city, Osaka prefecture, Japan
2008 Solo photo exhibition at Osaka University (former Osaka University of Foreign Studies), Minoh city, Osaka prefecture, Japan
2008 Obtained the Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test （日本漢字能力検定試験） Level 2
2007 Awarded the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (日本文部科学省) scholarship
2007 Obtained the Japanese Language Proficiency Test （日本語能力試験） Level 1
2006 Obtained the Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test （日本漢字能力検定試験） Level 3
2006 Obtained the Japanese Language Proficiency Test （日本語能力試験） Level 2
Major work assignments
2009-2010 Interpreter for Germnon LLC, Japan during visits to hotels and restaurants for product promotion as well as during sales negotiation talks at the Japan Quality Food Trade Show
2010 Translator for Fide Living regarding interior design floor plans for Japanese-themed food stalls at various shopping malls
2009 Translator for Clarins Singapore for Japanese magazines regarding cosmetic products
2009 Interpreter for the International Drama Festival in Tokyo booth during the Asia Television Forum 2009 to promote Japanese media content from various broadcasting stations
2009 Video subtitle translation of a Japanese teleshopping video programme for Beste (S) Pte Ltd
2009 Interpreter for animation movie director, Hosoda Mamoru, during interviews with the media at the Animation Asia Conference, Anime Festival Asia 2009 regarding his newly released movie Summer Wars
2009 Interpreter for Fide Living during meetings regarding the interior design for the mini Japanese street and Japanese food stalls at Serangoon Central Shopping Centre
2009 Interpreter for Crystal Systems Corporation Japan during visits to SIMTech, Nanyang Technological University regarding the installation of crystal growing equipment and training of staff
2009 Interpreter for Toray Japan during interviews with Keppel Seghers, Sempcorp, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and PUB regarding water systems and water reclamation technologies
2009 Interpreter for Japanese sports writer, Mr Mikio Gomi, during interview with Singapore Football Federation
2009 Translator for SSI Schaefer Singapore for technical documents regarding earthquake-resistant measures
2009 Interpreter for Shinichi Yoshida of Nakaya (Platinum) during a pen clinic at Aesthetic Bay during the opening of Ion Orchard
2009 Interpreter for facilitating communication between Singapore tour agencies, the media and Asahikawa city officials during the promotion of Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, Japan
2007, 2009 Interpreter for TBS engineers during visits to Broadcast Asia 2007, 2009
2007 Interpreter for managing director of Imai Shoten group during vists to libraries and schools
2007 Interpreter for Panasonic Singapore between Singapore and Japanese engineers
2007 Interpreter for TBS engineers during visits to Broadcast Asia 2007
2007 Interpreter for Mr. Matsumura Takeshi Hip-Hop Dance Workshop organised by People’s Association (PA) for Chingay parade
2007 Interpreter for Mr. Nishino Takeshi Hip-Hop Dance Workshops organised by People’s Association
2007 Video subtitling translation for Singapore-MIT Alliance regarding a documentary by Japanese TV, NHK, on the education system in Singapore
2007 Translator and interpreter during interviews and the production of People’s Association (PA) course promotional videos by Sky Entertainment. Promotional videos include hip-hop workshops, and Aikido and Japanese cuisine courses
2006 Provided software-related communication support to Japanese consumers, Japan Division, Autodesk
2005 Interpreter for Fujikiko Pte Ltd during MetalAsia Singapore, Japan External Trade Organisation, Japan booth
2005 Translator for Japanese animation scripts
Other involvements
Volunteered at Minoh Association for Global Awareness in Minoh city, Osaka, Japan and assisted in the cultural exchanges between the Japanese and foreign communities