[sarasi]

Translators also need a very high standard of writing in their own language, so don't neglect improving your English expression.

I don't think any of the translators I know started out with that purpose- they all, as above, "fell into" it, myself included. For one thing, if you want to work in Japan it would be very difficult to get translation work just after you step off the plane- you really need at least a few years living here, familiarising yourself with the culture and learning how Japanese is really used. Being here also helps to build up your contacts and therefore makes it more likely that you'll find translation work.

Most translators specialise in a particular type of document- scientific, legal or patents for example, so if you have no experience in that kind of field it also makes it harder to get hired.