#Japan #Tokyo #AI Translation #Dream Arts #Shopran

Introducing AI Translation by Dream Arts

Dream Arts, a leading provider of cloud solutions for multi-store operations, has made an impressive stride by announcing its new "AI Translation" feature for their flagship service, Shopran®, set to be launched on May 21, 2025. This innovative addition aims to facilitate the communication challenges faced by foreign staff working in the retail sector, which has been increasingly relying on a diverse workforce.

As Japan confronts a declining population, the necessity for hiring foreign staff in retail and food service sectors has surged. Yet, language barriers remain a significant challenge in ensuring effective communication between headquarters and on-ground staff. To address this, Dream Arts has integrated AI technology to offer solutions that not only translate but also enhance Japanese language learning through AI-generated phonetic readings (ruby) for difficult Kanji characters. This will help the foreign staff grasp subtle nuances and concepts more efficiently, bridging the communication gap and improving overall workplace understanding.

Background on Globalization Challenges in Retail

Shopran®'s keen focus on resolving communication issues in multi-store operations has been pivotal for numerous retail chains over the years. Currently utilized in approximately 60,000 stores across 28 countries, the service has supported various businesses in their overseas expansions, accommodating languages such as simplified and traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai, Russian, and many more.

With the increasing number of foreign workers—reportedly around 2.3 million as of October 2024—it's crucial for businesses to foster an environment where foreign staff feel equipped and capable. Moreover, the challenge lies beyond mere language proficiency; it involves effectively transmitting specialized corporate jargon and internal terminologies accurately. The new AI Translation feature is designed to do just that.

Understanding the New AI Translation Features

1. AI Ruby Generation

The AI Ruby generation function will automatically produce ruby text for announcements relayed from headquarters. By attaching phonetic guides to complex Kanji characters, important notifications become more accessible. This tool not only aids translators but also encourages foreign staff to become familiar with reading Japanese, ultimately facilitating their language learning process.

2. AI Translation Function

The AI translation function enables translations of headquarters' announcements into 14 different languages, including Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Burmese. This ensures that foreign staff can comprehend essential communications in their mother tongues, thus creating an inclusive workplace atmosphere.

The feature will also be supplemented by demonstration videos to provide potential users with a firsthand look at its functional capabilities.

Future Developments

In the near future, Dream Arts plans to enhance Shopran® by rolling out an AI search function that's more precise than traditional keyword searches and introducing automated notification generation capabilities, further streamlining operations.

Service Availability and Pricing

The AI Translation option will be available starting May 21, 2025, at an open price model. To make use of this innovative feature, businesses will need to register for Shopran® and its additional functionalities. For further details, interested parties are encouraged to reach out directly.

Voices from the Industry

Members of the industry, such as Tadayuki Nishida from Skylark Holdings, have expressed their support for this initiative. With increased hiring of foreign staff anticipated, Nishida emphasized the importance of familiarity with the Japanese language for effective communication and training in nurturing future store leaders.

Dream Arts continues to embody the concept of “co-creation,” striving to deliver comprehensive solutions that enhance operational competency and boost enterprise competitiveness.

For more information on Shopran®, visit Shopran.

For an understanding of Dream Arts and their commitment to creating effective organizational partnerships, head over to Dream Arts.