I used to think that once I became a translator, that would be it. I would be a fluent reader, writer and speaker of Japanese, and I wouldn’t need to study anymore. I was wrong.

I’ve been a translator for 16 years, but I’m still studying. I study for exams in my specialist fields. The exams are all in Japanese. I specialise in cosmetics, skincare, marketing and tourism, but at the moment, I’m focusing my study on cosmetics and skincare.

I’m using these books for the Cosmetics Meister and Skincare Meister exams. I hope to pass these exams this month.

Then in November, I have another cosmetics exam. I’m going to take level 2. I should have taken it earlier in the year, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. I’m using these books.

Shortly after that exam, I’m going to take the Cosmetics Ingredients exam. I’m aiming to take level 2, and am using these books.

Next year, I’m going to take a beauty-related pharmaceuticals exam. These are the books I will use.

And, as if that is not enough, I’m going to take level 3 on a pharmaceuticals exam! I’ll use these books to study.

I’ll take the higher level exams the following year. And somehow, I’ll fit the French and Chinese tests in!