Japanese operator NTT Docomo is launching an automatic voice translation service for its subscribers.
From 1 November, users will be able to download the Hanashite Hon’yaku app for Android, and have their phone calls automatically translate from Japanese into the chosen language of the person on the other end, with the translated messages available both verbally and written.
English, Chinese and Korean are the three languages currently supported by the service, with French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai all promised by the end of November. 
Earlier this month, Docomo launched another translation-focused service, Utsushite Hon’yaku. The AR app translates written text using the smartphones camera, and overlays a translated version over the original sign or menu.
