About SWET_

The Society of Writers, Editors, and Translators, founded in Japan in 1980, is made up of people engaged not only in the three professions of writing, editing, and translating, but also in teaching, research, rewriting, design and production, copywriting, and other areas related to the written word in Japan. Its membership is defined less by occupation than by a desire to share experience, information, and expertise involving English writing and publishing.

SWET's goals are facilitating the flow of information among members, encouraging the sharing of know-how and experience, and providing a vehicle for increased contact among people working in related fields. Members hope that our efforts will result in better working conditions and higher standards of expertise in the many fields that relate to the use of the written English word in Japan, be they translation, rewriting, publishing, editing, copywriting, book and magazine design, or work in allied fields.

The organization holds events mainly in Tokyo, the Kansai area (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe), and the San Francisco Bay area, featuring speakers, discussions, or information of interest to members and provides meeting places for offline networking for members and interested non-members. (During the current pandemic, we have gone online for our sessions. Please see “SWET on Zoom” and “SWET on YouTube” below.)

Please direct queries about SWET to info@swet.jp.

 About SWET-L_

Although the SWET-L mailing list is operated by SWET, you do not have to be a SWET member to participate. The list is open to everyone whose work involves communicating in written English on matters related to Japan—wherever in the world they may happen to live.

SWET-L Topics 

What do we talk about? Well, for example,

* Points of English style and grammar. There's no shame in being nitpicky here.

* Handling Japanese words in English. Noh? noh? No? Or nō?

* Dictionaries, style manuals, and other exciting stuff for wordsmiths.

* Knotty ethical questions.

* Electronic writing and publishing tools.

* Dealing with clients.

* Getting work. Job offers. Especially in Japan.

* Getting qualified. Degrees and certifications can take you a long way.

* Professional networking. Getting and giving information.

* New publications of note—including your own works!

Please direct queries about this list to SWET-L+owner@groups.io.

 SWET on the Net and in Print_

Website

We invite you to take advantage of the resources on the SWET website (www.swet.jp). Here you will find announcements of upcoming SWET events, an extensive archive of articles and columns on wordsmithing relating to Japan, SWET-member access to PDFs of the SWET Newsletter (published 1980–2012), and the SWET Shop (offering SWET publications and other products).

SWET on Zoom

Since March 2020, SWET has been conducting meetings online via Zoom roughly once a month. See https://swet.jp/events/u_events (upcoming) and https://swet.jp/events/p_events (past).

SWET on YouTube

Watch videos of past Zoom events in a growing body at https://bit.ly/SWETvideos.

SWET Bulletin

Distributed exclusively to members by email, the monthly SWET Bulletin includes information about upcoming SWET events and other events of professional interest. The Members’ News section is a platform for sharing information about newly published works and other accomplishments. The Bulletin also alerts members to new content on the website. 

Japan Style Sheet

The updated and expanded third edition of the JSS provides authoritative support for translators, editors, writers, and others working with English-language texts concerning Japan. Available for download (PDF) or purchase (print edition) at https://japanstylesheet.com/. 

Other publications

Visit the SWET shop at https://swet.jp/shop. 

SWET on Facebook

Join our group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/swet.jp/ (also open to non-members).

SWET on Twitter

Subscribe to SWET’s Twitter feed @swetjp (https://twitter.com/swetjp).