That phone call you've been putting off — I'll handle it today.
English–Japanese interpreter for the U.S. military community around Camp Zama, NAF Atsugi, Yokota & Yokosuka. I research before we go, stay beside you in the room, and follow through until it's done.
Hi, I'm Sora — I'll be the one beside you.
Japan is amazing. Living here is another story.
The hospital form you can't read. The bank that needs "just one more document." The apartment contract, the parking certificate, the phone call that's all in Japanese.
None of these are big problems back home. Here, any one of them can eat a whole day — and leave you feeling like a guest in your own life.
I'm Sora Kaneko. Since 2023, I've walked beside military families through exactly these moments. Not as a translation app with legs — as the person who makes sure it actually gets done.
I don't just show up and translate.
I prepare.
I research your situation, call ahead, confirm the paperwork, and check the SOFA-specific procedures — so nothing surprises us on the day.
"Before our appointment, he confirmed exactly which documents I needed… He understood the requirements around SOFA status better than I did, and handled questions at the bank before they became problems."— Brian Hudnall, bank account
I stand beside you.
I don't just convert words. I read the room, catch what you're struggling to say, and negotiate on your behalf.
"He was very good at reading the situation and helping bridge those gaps in communication."— Dan, hospital visit for his daughter's surgery
I follow through.
Follow-up letters, missed calls from the office, the document that arrives two weeks later — I stay on it until the loop is closed.
"He is following through to make sure we don't miss any follow-on communication with the realtor."— Nelson family, real estate
English-speaking help with hospitals, banks, city hall, housing & cars
If you need an interpreter for it, just ask.
🏥 Health & Family
Hospital visits (researched and prepped before we go), pediatrics, school enrollment, parent–teacher meetings.
🏦 Money & Paperwork
Bank accounts, hanko, city hall registration, tax & pension, SOFA-related procedures, immigration office visits (interpreting & accompaniment).
🏠 Home & Car
Apartment hunting, guarantor issues, utilities, buying or fixing a car, parking certificates.
✨ …and the unexpected
A wedding-dress tailor. Adopting a kitten. Reuniting a family after 50 years apart. If I can help, I will.
"We had been trying for weeks to find a certified parking spot with no luck. The language barrier seemed a little too difficult for us. Enter Sora — he swooped in and saved the day. He had made some calls for us and found us a spot. He even went to the realtor with us and helped with the paperwork."— Hodgkins family
"We did have a bit of a hiccup at the bank during the process. But Sora was able to help me get what I needed and still complete the process in the same day."— Sheets family
"He knew procedures that were extremely beneficial, such as knowing where to get documents if I didn't have them and waiving a fee with the bank due to being SOFA status. I wouldn't have been able to do it without him!"— Underwood family
You have options. Here's an honest map.
| Translation apps | Base & city resources | Velanidi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick word lookup | ✓ Great | — | — |
| Information & referrals | — | ✓ Great | ✓ |
| Research & booking before | — | Limited | ✓ |
| Beside you in the room | — | Medical only, select hospitals | ✓ Anywhere |
| Negotiating on your behalf | — | Not permitted | ✓ |
| Follow-up until it's done | — | — | ✓ |
Base resources are genuinely good — use them. I pick up where they end.
120+ institutions. You'll recognize a few.
Simple, honest pricing — $50/hour interpreter rate
+ travel fee
- $20 — Zama / Atsugi base area (Zama, Ayase, Yamato, Sagamihara Minami Ward, Machida Sta. area)
- $30 — Sagamihara (excl. Minami Ward), Ebina, Machida City, Yokohama Izumi & Seya Wards
- $40 — Yokosuka, Yokota, Tokyo, Yokohama (other areas)
USD or JPY — cash, PayPal, Wise, bank transfer, and PayPay all welcome.
📞 Not ready for a full appointment?
I'll make a phone call or send an email in Japanese on your behalf — just $10. Perfect for reservations, quick questions to city hall, or "can you ask them if…"
Questions, answered honestly
Can you come the same day?
Sometimes, yes — message me and I'll tell you honestly whether I can make it. The earlier you reach out, the more I can prepare.
Do you come onto base?
I meet you at the off-base location (hospital, bank, dealership, etc.) or a nearby station. For on-base procedures, base offices provide their own support — I cover everything outside the gate.
Will my insurance reimburse interpretation fees?
It can happen — some clients have been asked by their insurance company to submit a receipt for hospital interpretation. It depends on your insurer and your plan, so please check your policy. I'll issue a receipt on request.
Which areas do you cover?
Zama, Atsugi, Yokota, and Yokosuka areas — see the travel fee list above. Somewhere else? Ask anyway; if I can make it work, I will.
How do I pay?
USD or JPY. Cash, PayPal, Wise, bank transfer, or PayPay — after the service is done.
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancellation is free until the day before. Same-day cancellations are charged one hour ($50). Duty schedules and life with kids happen — just let me know as early as you can.
Can you help me open a bank account as a military spouse?
Yes — it's one of my most common requests. I confirm the required documents in advance (including hanko), book the appointment, come with you, and handle SOFA-related questions at the counter. Most accounts are opened the same day.
Do you interpret at hospitals? What about TRICARE?
Yes. I research the hospital before we go — including checking which hospitals accept TRICARE — book the appointment, and stay beside you through the visit. I can also issue a receipt if your insurance may reimburse interpretation fees.
Do I need an “interpreter” or a “translator”?
In everyday English the words get mixed up — technically an interpreter handles spoken conversation and a translator handles documents. I do both: interpreting at appointments, and helping with everyday documents. Either way, just message me with what you need.
The next time Japan throws you a curveball, you don't have to face it alone.
Message me on WhatsApp — (+81)80-12240603Until then, I'm here whenever Japan gets complicated.
I also teach 1-on-1 Japanese lessons →