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SoftBank and Kotoba Technologies Join Forces to Revolutionize Language Translation

On April 17, 2026, SoftBank Corporation is set to launch its new service, "Dareka Demo AI." In remarkable news, Kotoba Technologies Japan has announced their partnership with SoftBank for this innovative service. The collaboration will allow users to experience Kotoba's simultaneous interpretation application through "Dareka Demo AI."

This partnership is designed to make advanced translation technology readily accessible to a wider audience. To celebrate this collaboration, all customers of SoftBank, Y!Mobile, and LINEMO who subscribe to the paid plan of the simultaneous interpretation app will enjoy significant discounts for the first three months.

In addition, the service rollout coincides with the official launch of Kotoba's state-of-the-art AI model, "Koto,” tailored for Korean-Japanese simultaneous interpretation. This model represents a significant advancement in real-time translation technology, showcasing Kotoba's commitment to breaking down language barriers.

What is "Dareka Demo AI"?

"Dareka Demo AI" is an innovative, carrier-free service by SoftBank, designed to allow users to easily experience cutting-edge AI technology. This user-friendly service enables a wide audience to explore the capabilities of Kotoba’s interpretation app seamlessly.

Overview of Kotoba's Service

Within the framework of "Dareka Demo AI," Kotoba offers a unique "simultaneous interpretation experience." Utilizing groundbreaking AI technology, this service delivers high-precision, low-latency voice interpretation that bridges linguistic divides.

For customers subscribing to SoftBank, Y!Mobile, and LINEMO, an exceptional promotional offer is available, providing a massive 94% discount on monthly subscription fees for the first three months.

Introduction of the Korean-Japanese Speech-to-Speech Model

With the launch of the new service, the simultaneous interpretation application will integrate Kotoba’s AI model “Koto,” specifically designed for Korean-Japanese translations. This end-to-end AI model performs direct speech-to-speech simultaneous interpretation, achieving impressive low latency and high accuracy rates.

The average delay between Japanese and Korean is maintained at approximately 1-2 seconds, significantly lower than the delays often seen in Japanese-English interpretations, making it a groundbreaking tool in the landscape of AI translation.

In a region where effective AI tools for simultaneous interpretation have previously been scarce, Kotoba aims to contribute to a new, high standard of AI-driven translation that eliminates language barriers.

Statement from the Kotoba CEO

Kotoba's CEO, Noriyuki Kojima, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are honored to collaborate with SoftBank on the initiative "Dareka Demo AI." This partnership presents a fantastic opportunity for us to reach a broader audience with the advanced speech AI technology we have been developing for years. The newly announced Korean-Japanese Speech-to-Speech model is set to redefine the real-time interpretation landscape. Our goal is to deliver an experience that erases language barriers for as many individuals as possible.”

Future Prospects

Kotoba Technologies is dedicated to further enhancing its AI models, focusing on Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish. Throughout this fiscal year, efforts will be made to improve the precision of simultaneous interpretation AI, ensuring it meets the needs of business users and sets new standards in translation technology. With the launch of "Dareka Demo AI" and the debut of the Korean model, Kotoba aims to innovate within the East Asian language market, responding to user needs and continuing to drive technological advancements.

About Kotoba Technologies, Inc.

• - Headquarters: Levi’s Plaza, 1160 Battery St Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
• - CEO & Co-founder: Noriyuki Kojima
• - Business Focus: Research and development of real-time voice translation and speech AI models
• - Established: May 2023
• - Website: kotoba.tech
• - Twitter: @kotoba_tech

About the Japan Division

• - Company Name: Kotoba Technologies Japan
• - Headquarters: 6th Floor Otemachi Building, 1-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
• - CEO: Noriyuki Kojima
• - Established: October 2023
• - Capital: ¥10 million
• - Focus: Research and development of real-time voice AI models and domestic business support