I have to say, I enjoy the literal Japanese-English translations. My favorite is the "long shower" setting for the filter.
It makes it interesting to try to help someone where the standards don't really apply. That is, where you can't just pick up a standard All Glass aquarium and a Penguin HOB filter.
A friend of mine is currenly living in Japan. He teaches English among other things.
You were lucky. I bought my filter here in Japan and It had no English translations. I've been in Japan now for over 8 years and my read/write/speaking level of the language is pretty good. But when I started this hobby it was a whole new world. I had to learn what things were in English and in Japanese. Its fun though....
The most difficult thing is aquatic plants. While most of the time the names are the same I usually pic up a plant and read the Kana for it. Then try to do a search for it English so I can better understand the plant. The opposite is true as well when I see a plant online and want to ask a shop about it here Japan. Finally, just reading a plants name in English I'm never sure about the pronunciation and unfortunately I have to rely on the Japanese pronunciation.
I bet if I ever meet up with someone stateside in the hobby they will not know what kind of plant Im referring to if speaking on the subject.
Do you all think I have enough oxygen in my water for my betta, snail, and 2 corys in my 10 gal tank? I have a HOB filter. I also have some kind of sword plant, some java fern and java moss. Soon to be getting more plants in the mail.
I moved on the 31st. Setup my new tank and one in my office. Lots of Photo updates coming soon, once my internet is completely established. If you can't wait that long check my photo blog. Link in my sig. Cheers.
New Tank Photos and Updates - thumbs open to larger pics
Tank Updates:
New house, New setup. 60cm Nisso Crystal Sting Ray
New ADA knockoff Glass Diffuser
My New Office Tank on Friday
New Office Tank on Monday
Jawa Mix - Some kind of Hybrid of Northern and Willow Moss.
Moss Cotton - Making my Fantanalis Stones
Minami-gata Mizu Goke
My new main tank - 2nd Day
Mini Co2 Bombe Set up