Team

SIJIHIVE: our name is a combination of the Chinese word for “four seasons” and a bee’s home.

It perfectly portrays us as a hive of activity,

a lively place all year round.

Japanese native, Chinese-English transcreation specialist. During her university years, Satoko studied in Toronto, Canada, a place where many cultures coexist, and became interested in cross-cultural issues. After returning to Japan, worked as an IT engineer, she became a freelance translator in 2012 and established SIJIHIVE in 2018.

Founder/CEO

Satoko Shimooka

Co-founder/Director

Yutaka Kitade

After working at Dentsu Advertising Agency, Yutaka completed his Masters of Business Administration at INSEAD (European School of Business Administration) in 2004. After returning to Japan, he worked at transcosmos and established Global Initiative in Shibuya. His company provides advisory services on consulting, market research, M&A, financing, etc., mainly for Japanese companies expanding overseas.

CTO/Chinese Market Advisor

TingJian Zhong

Originally from Sichuan, China. After coming to Japan in 2007, TJ developed business systems utilizing IT technology and knowledge. He has expertise in business planning and expansion, as well as dealing with technology-related tasks. He also has experience with developing relationships with Chinese companies and as an advisor of Chinese market trends.

English Editor/Writer

Joan Bailey

Originally from Wisconsin, USA. With a background in English literature and sociology, Joan has been a successful freelance writer for over 10 years. She has extensive experience in copy creation, magazine articles, and ghost blogging.

English Editor/Writer

Richard Bailey

Originally from Ohio, USA. With a background in science and more than 24 years of teaching English around the world, Richard is an excellent editor and copywriter, especially for technical and scientific content.

Listen to audio

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Japanese-Chinese translator/Interpreter/

Chinese Market Advisor

Zhi Yuan

Originally from Xinjiang, China. Zhi worked in the Japanese food and manufacturing industries from 1998 to 2012. Currently works as an advisor, China for Japanese-Chinese translation and Chinese market entry. He has a reputation for quality translation and for flexible simultaneous interpretation in negotiation situations.

Japanese SEO Writer / Japanese-Chinese translator

Yoshinari Kawai

Born in Japan, Kawai moved to China in 2008 to study the Chinese language in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Later, he deepened his learning in Hunan and Jiangsu provinces through close interaction with locals. He then spent a year and a half in Ghana, Africa, working to master English and the local language, Tui. Forced to return to Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he now lives in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

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