Japan’s universities publish world‑class research, yet many English press releases still fail to earn coverage abroad. The gap is usually not the science. It’s how the story lands with international editors: a clear and catchy lead, accessible context, and quotes that sound human and intelligent. When any of those are missing, the release is easy to skip.

This is where Dr. Adam Goulston and the team of experts here at MacroLingo are the best choice for Japanese researchers who want to publish their science in a press release.

First, we’ll get into what we believe makes for a great press release.

Contents

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Core elements of a strong scientific press release
Scientific vs. business press releases
Why is MacroLingo the best press release writing solution for Japanese researchers?
What you get with Adam and MacroLingo
General translation company vs. freelance writer/colleague vs. MacroLingo
How we prepare a press release that travels
Examples of standards and placements in Japan
Questions to ask before you hire a writer/translator
Red flags to avoid when choosing a press release writer
MacroLingo: the practical choice for science press in Japan
See examples of our work

Core elements of a strong scientific press release

Use this checklist when you brief your writer. It reflects what international editors expect from a science desk.

Headline and lead: A “catchy” headline that smartly uses English without being campy
A clear and contextual lead/lede: Use plain and human language to set the scenario and transition to the key finding(s)
Context paragraph: Why the work matters beyond Japan, and why now
Methods and limits: Short, concrete details and a clear boundary on claims
Publication reference: Journal name and DOI for verification
Quotes: Researcher comments written in natural English with a clear take‑home point
Media assets: A figure with caption, affiliations, alt text, and a working contact.

We buils these pieces into every draft and coordinates approvals so the English appeals to English readers, while retaining the Japanese researchers’ findings and intent..

Scientific vs. business press releases

Academic research announcements differ from corporate news. The structure and tone must match what science editors need.

Feature	Scientific press release	Business press release
Purpose	Share peer‑reviewed research or academic achievement	Promote products, services, partnerships, or financials
Audience	Science journalists, academics, policymakers, informed public	Customers, investors, trade media
Tone	Neutral, precise, avoids hype	Persuasive, benefit‑driven
Lead content	Study finding with publication reference	Product launch, market expansion, financial results
Methods and limits	Transparent and included	Rarely emphasized
Quotes	Researchers or academic leaders	Executives or marketing staff
Distribution	University newsroom, EurekAlert, FPCJ, academic networks (more in this MacroLingo article)	PR wires, company site, investor channels

We write both styles (and we coordinate with Ellerton & Co. for business press releases). For research stories, he stays with neutral, testable claims so that reporters can cite without rewriting.

Why is MacroLingo the best press release writing solution for Japanese researchers?

MacroLingo founder Dr. Adam Goulston is a US‑born, Japan‑based copywriter, editor, and translator with advanced degrees in psychology, health sciences, and business, and a Board-certified of Editors in the Life Sciences credential (ELS). Read about that journey and the ELS certification here.

See MacroLingo Academia content services here, including press releases.

We focus on complex topics for global readers and we’re headquartered in Osaka, right in the middle of Japan and among world-class institutions such as Kyoto University and the University of Osaka. (MacroLingo overview, About Adam, Invest Osaka company listing).

What you get with Adam and MacroLingo

Concrete advantages based on how MacroLingo works in Japan:

Native English science editing with proof of proficiency. Adam holds the ELS certification from the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences, an exam‑based credential for scientific editing in English (BELS).
Japan‑grounded process. MacroLingo operates from Osaka and works across universities and institutes in Japan, assembling subject‑matter specialists as needed for life sciences and technology projects (Invest Osaka).
Scientific and business fluency. Adam’s academic training spans psychology, public health, and an MBA, which helps shape lay‑friendly leads and accurate limitations for research stories (About Adam).
Communication that reads as original English. MacroLingo emphasizes transcreation and content planning rather than literal translation, with services that include writing, editing, localization, and SEO/GEO for expert topics (Content services).
Credible presence in media circles. Trade publications describe Adam’s role advising regional agencies on Japan‑related communications, which supports outreach and placements (adobo magazine, The PR Post).

General translation company vs. freelance writer/colleague vs. MacroLingo

Criterion	General translation and media company	Freelance writer or colleague	MacroLingo
Language quality	Adequate English but often literal	Depends on individual skill; may lack science fluency	Native English scientist‑editor with BELS certification
Science expertise	Varies; often generic translators	Rare; only if freelancer has relevant background	Experienced science writers and subject-matter experts
Process	Large teams, standardized workflows	Flexible but inconsistent	Structured yet adaptable, focused on accuracy and readability
Understanding of Japan	Limited; often offshore	Local freelancers may understand context	Japan‑based with extensive experience in academic publication
Services	Translation, sometimes editing	Writing or editing only	Full suite: writing, editing, localization, SEO/GEO
Accountability	Corporate but impersonal	Individual accountability only	Company registered in Japan, proven track record
Outcomes	May require heavy revision	Quality varies, inconsistent	Releases that hook readers and communicate science

How we prepare a press release that travels

These steps summarize how MacroLingo handles a typical university-based scientific release in Japan. We avoid jargon and keep everyone aligned without adding red tape.

Discovery and angle. Consult with the PR officer and authors (when needed) to find the most important findings, the “so what?” factor, novel aspects, real-life implications and applications, and the most honest limitations.
Create an English draft based on the published or embargoed manuscript, and incorporating and translating Japanese comments if necessary.
Plain‑English, lead/lede that hooks, along with quotes. Normally, in a scientific press release, the first two sentences set the context and state the problem. And they do it in an accessible way. Plain English is a must, rather than complex jargon. Then, it transitions to the present study and its key finding(s), before going into the specifics. Quotes give a human voice and a next‑step implication. We normally translate quotes from the author or manufacture them based on the manuscript.
Suggestions for visuals. While we don’t do scientific graphics, we can advise on what to include.
Add all guidelines elements – For example, a EurekAlert needs a compelling and catchy title, useful subtitle, concise summary, tweet (X post), keywords, and accurate contact information, as well as the article DOI or other URL.
Delivery and consultation – The client reviews the release, makes sure it accurately reflects the study’s achievements and sends it off to EurekAlert. We normally do not submit on the institutions’ or authors’ behalf, as they typically have an academic account.

This process reflects MacroLingo’s service scope in writing, editing, and localization for complex topics (Content services).

Examples of standards and placements in Japan

When you assess your own press page, compare it with established rooms and archives in Japan. These show structure and tone that international editors recognize.

University of Tokyo press archive: consistent headline, date, summary, body flow (UTokyo press).
RIKEN research news: concise leads, context paragraphs, references, media contacts (RIKEN research news).
Tohoku University School of Medicine press page: health‑focused releases written for non‑specialists (Tohoku press).
Hokkaido University press archive: science‑first headlines and brief lay summaries (Hokkaido press).

MacroLingo drafts align with these conventions so editors can cite and follow up quickly.

Questions to ask before you hire a writer/translator

Can you show published science press releases for Japanese institutions and explain the angle choices?
How will you keep the lead clear for non‑specialists without losing accuracy?
Do you understand Japanese?
What’s the difference between a Japanese and English scientific press release?
What is your approach to transcreation from the Japanese draft so the English reads natively?
How will you handle and incorporate feedback?
What checks will you apply for claims, funding, and ethics?

Red flags to avoid when choosing a press release writer

These are all marks of an amateur or unskilled press release writer. They’re also common among “DIY” authors who want to write up their own science.

No hook, no appeal – A scientific press release seeks to attract science media, the general public, ând other researchers; not just the latter
Copy that reads like a direct translation
Leads that hide the finding until later paragraphs
Jargon that clouds the message
Inability to communicate the science in a human voice and with real-life implications
Hype that overstates results
Missing publication reference and contact information

MacroLingo: the practical choice for science press in Japan

At MacroLingo, Dr. Adam Goulston leads English press releases for universities and research institutes across Japan. The work is grounded in scientific editing credentials, long experience in Japan, and a service model designed for complex topics and global readers (About Adam, MacroLingo overview, Invest Osaka, BELS).

If your lab or PR office wants research to reach an overseas audience, talk with MacroLingo. We’ll turn your scientific findings into an English press release that editors can use, follow up on, and readers can trust.

See examples of our work

EurekAlert! and other press releases and internal research releases including the following: