Miyazaki Prefectural Government Uses DeepL Voice for Real-Time Japanese Transcription

Creating a more inclusive meeting environment with equal access to information for all employees, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing 

Tokyo, JP – Augst 26, 2026 - DeepL, a global leader in Language AI, today announced that the Miyazaki Prefectural Government (Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture; Governor: Shunji Kono) is using DeepL Voice, its real-time AI voice solution, for Japanese-to-Japanese transcription to support employees who are deaf or hard of hearing. Since May 2026, the organization has used DeepL Voice across meetings and day-to-day operations, running it on standard tablets - no dedicated hardware needed - in order to improve access to information and support more inclusive communication.

Shunsuke Katayama, Officer, Digital Government Promotion Team, Digital Promotion Division, Miyazaki Prefectural Government, commented:  "By simply placing a tablet on the table, we can start meetings immediately, significantly reducing preparation time and operational burden. Choosing a highly portable solution that does not depend on PC-based environments has enabled us to improve accessibility while minimizing workload for employees and creating an environment where all staff can access information equally. Going forward, we plan to expand the use of DeepL Voice across meetings, training sessions and various internal events. Our goal is to make it standard practice to provide an environment where everyone can access information equally and participate with confidence."

DeepL Voice is a Language AI solution that enables real-time speech translation and transcription. While it's typically used for multilingual communication, the Miyazaki Prefectural Government has adopted DeepL Voice in a unique way: transcribing spoken Japanese into Japanese text in real time. This enables all meeting participants, including those who are deaf or hard of  hearing, to access the same information at the same time, and participate more fully in discussions. The initiative is transforming how information is shared within the organization, and demonstrates how public sector bodies can useLanguage AI to enhance accessibility while advancing digital transformation.

Why Miyazaki Prefectural Government Chose DeepL Voice

Prior to adopting DeepL Voice, the Miyazaki Prefectural Government relied on transcription software primarily used for creating meeting minutes. That tool  required installation on PCs and physical USB connections, which created limitations in terms of flexibility and ease of operation and came with constraints on functionality and cost.

After evaluating multiple speech recognition and transcription solutions, the Miyazaki Prefectural Government selected DeepL Voice based on three key criteria:

• High Accuracy: Strong speech recognition performance for real-time transcription
• Cost-Effectiveness: Delivers high-quality transcription while reducing implementation and operational costs
• Ease of Use: Immediate deployment on tablet devices without requiring dedicated hardware or complex setup requirements

How DeepL Voice Is Used and Its Impact

The Miyazaki Prefectural Government has tailored its use of DeepL Voice to different meeting formats and use cases. For larger interactive meetings, one tablet is typically shared among every two to three participants, using DeepL Voice’s group conversation functionality. For smaller meetings and training sessions, devices are provided to individual speakers as well as employees who are deaf or hard of hearing, enabling seamless access to information in real time.

Since implementation, meeting preparation has become much simpler. Staff no longer need to set up microphones or connect devices to PCs, which reduces administrative burden and allows meetings to begin immediately. The initiative has also raised awareness of accessibility across the organization and reinforced the importance of creating environments where everyone can participate equally.

Jarek Kutylowski, Founder and CEO of DeepL, added: “We’re proud to see the Miyazaki Prefectural Government using DeepL Voice to create a more inclusive environment where all employees, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, have equal access to information and can participate fully in conversations. It is a powerful example of how Voice AI can do more than overcome language barriers – it can make communication even more accessible, strengthen collaboration and bring more people into the conversation.”

DeepL remains committed to expanding the possibilities of Language AI and helping organizations create more equitable and inclusive communication environments.

About DeepL` DeepL is a global AI company building the language infrastructure that powers global business. More than 200,000 business teams and millions of individuals use DeepL’s Language AI platform to communicate globally, collaborate and operate across languages in real time. By combining breakthrough AI models with enterprise-grade security and privacy, DeepL enables organizations to work seamlessly across markets and cultures. Founded in 2017 by CEO Jarek Kutylowski, DeepL now has more than 900 employees and is backed by leading investors including Benchmark, IVP and Index Ventures. Learn more at www.deepl.com.