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Kim Kahan
Writing, Copywriting & Translation
I write and translate things around Japanese customs and subcultures, electronic music and art. I specialise in interviews, such as photographer Mari Katayama; artisans Buaisou, and legendary Japanese drummers Kodo Taiko. I translate and copywrite, for clients like Honda (motorcycle division) and Live Japan.
About Me: I moved to Japan in 2017, after leaving a corporate PR job and working sporadically in the electronic music sector. The plan was to live in Japan for one year, but I fell in love with the language and decided that I wouldn’t leave until I’d reached business level. In 2021 I passed the business Japanese test (JLPT2) and I wrote my first long-form piece about tribal tattoos from the Ryukyu Islands.
Writing and Editing: Now a full-time freelancer in Japan, my work appears regularly in publications such as: Lonely Planet, GRAMMY, The Japan Times, Tokyo Weekender, Resident Advisor and Mixmag . I am the English language editor for a book about listening bars/ongaku kissa, forthcoming 2025 on Audio Technica.
Translation and Copywriting: I am a translator and copywriter for Honda’s motorcycle division, and have translated its Hello Kitty and Pokémon collaboration sites. I have also translated for Hazy Tokyo clothing, Mixmag and Beatport. I’m always looking for new translation and copywriting clients.
Reach me via email: kimjakahan[at]gmail[dot]com
Writing Highlights:
- The Ultimate Weekend in Tokyo in Lonely Planet, putting my years of knowledge to good use.
- Japanese Rap Went Global in 2024 in GRAMMY, a long-form upon the Japanese rap genre, interviews with producers, artists and a critic.
- Genuinely Needed: How WAIFU is Revolutionising Tokyo’s Nightlife: a super-long interview conducted in Japanese, translated into English for Mixmag.
- There’s no room for wallflowers at Amapinight: a deep dive on Tokyo hottest party for Japan Times.
- How a Sleepy Town Transformed Into an Art Haven: Hokuto, Yamanashi for Tokyo Weekender.
- Japanese Tribal Tattoos in Metropolis, a 4-page feature about the recent Ainu tattoo trend.
- Reviving a Stigmatised Tradition in Metropolis, an interview with Hajicha tattoo artist, Moeko Heshiki.
- Perila and Ulla in Inverted Audio, album review.
Kim Kahan 