Japanese-Malay On-Site Interpreter

I’m arranging a 35-day field campaign in Gua Musang, Kelantan that will run from the last week of September 2026 through the end of October (Sundays–Thursdays, roughly eight working hours per day). Throughout that period our Japanese engineers will be working side-by-side with Malay drilling crews and, on occasion, local government officers. To keep the operation moving smoothly I need one dedicated interpreter who can handle real-time, two-way technical conversation on the plantation site.

What matters most is a solid command of both languages: JLPT N2-level Japanese (or better) and native-level Malay. You’ll be switching constantly between safety briefings, drilling terminology, and the day-to-day chatter that keeps a multi-national team cohesive, so accuracy and speed are crucial. We don’t expect flawless English, but an intermediate level would be helpful.

The job is entirely on site—often outdoors—so you must be comfortable working in humid conditions, wearing basic PPE, and walking short distances. I’ll cover your hotel accommodation in town and arrange daily transport to the plantation. We can also cover a stipend for food.

Most of the work involves communicating in real time between our groups and, in the case of an emergency, helping us with that with regards to evacuation and or medical translation but of course we will do our best to avoid that situation.

If you’re confident bridging Japanese and Malay in a practical, technical setting, let’s discuss scheduling, day-rate, and any paperwork you might need for site access.