An interpretation error has been clarified by the Japanese government, which led to a mix-up during a joint press conference between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on July 2. Takaichi had remarked that Modi referred to her as his “beautiful sister,” a statement that has now been attributed to a translation mistake.
The confusion arose when Modi addressed Takaichi as “my sister” in Hindi. However, the phrase was translated into English as “my younger sister,” and during the subsequent relay of translations, from Hindi to English and finally to Japanese, it was incorrectly rendered as “beautiful sister.” This error in translation caused Takaichi to unknowingly reiterate the phrase, expressing that she and Modi had agreed to maintain a sibling-like relationship.
Japanese officials have explained that the error was a result of the complexities involved in simultaneous relay interpretation—a process where a phrase is translated through multiple languages before reaching its final form. They have assured that this misunderstanding has not had any negative impact on the diplomatic relations between Japan and India. Furthermore, they noted that India has not expressed any concerns over the mistranslation.
The incident highlights the challenges inherent in international communication, especially when several languages are involved. Despite the miscommunication, the commitment to strong bilateral ties between Japan and India remains unaffected, with both leaders continuing to foster a cooperative relationship.