Over the last year or so, the question of translations of D&D 5E into foreign languages has arisen from time to time. Sites like Hobby Japan have stated that WotC indicated that no D&D translations would be permitted, although very recently that site was apparently given permission to do translate the Basic Rules (more on that below), and today a petition was created by a German fan asking for translated books.
This was Hobby Japan's announcement back in July 2014.
WotC's Chris Perkins shortly thereafter clarified this, by saying "We want to adopt a plan that makes it possible for us to deliver new releases in multiple languages at the same time. That requires a lot of work on our end, and also likely ties into digital publishing."
Last week, Masaki Yanagida in Japan dropped me a note with the latest translation news from Japan.
And just today, Info Kiem from Germany started a petition on Change.org, asking WotC to translate D&D into other languages.
With 5th Edition, Wizards of the Coast has dropped all partnerships with local publishers and stopped all foreign-language editions of the game. It may not be reflected by the sales numbers, but D&D needs a proper localization. Most dedicated players may still buy the English rulebooks, but there are always players at the table, especially younger ones, that need a translation. Other RPGs are translated, all previous editions of D&D were, why not this one? If we rally up support here, maybe we can change somebody's mind at Wizards of the Coast.
Translate the 5th Edition rulebooks!
This was Hobby Japan's announcement back in July 2014.
AN IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT "D&D NEXT"
Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).
Since January of 2013, we have been engaging in promotional activities, primarily through "Table Game Channel", on the assumption of making the transtion from D&D 4th Edition to D&D Next. However, Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of D&D, has decided to sell only English versions of D&D Next, and not put out a license for translations. This applies not only to Japan, but all non-English language regions.
As a result, we cannot release a Japanese version of D&D Next.
We deeply apologize that we can meet the expectations of everyone who was looking forward to a Japanese version of D&D Next.
As a company, we will wait for an opportunity to do the translation, taking in account the possiblity that Wizards of the Coast may change their policy, but we must announce here that for the time being, there is no plan to publish Japanese versions of D&D Next merchandise.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone who has supported the Japanese versions of D&D over the 10 years since the Japanese release of D&D 3rd Edition.
Eiji Nakabayashi
Game Development Department
Hobby Japan, Inc.
Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).
Since January of 2013, we have been engaging in promotional activities, primarily through "Table Game Channel", on the assumption of making the transtion from D&D 4th Edition to D&D Next. However, Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of D&D, has decided to sell only English versions of D&D Next, and not put out a license for translations. This applies not only to Japan, but all non-English language regions.
As a result, we cannot release a Japanese version of D&D Next.
We deeply apologize that we can meet the expectations of everyone who was looking forward to a Japanese version of D&D Next.
As a company, we will wait for an opportunity to do the translation, taking in account the possiblity that Wizards of the Coast may change their policy, but we must announce here that for the time being, there is no plan to publish Japanese versions of D&D Next merchandise.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone who has supported the Japanese versions of D&D over the 10 years since the Japanese release of D&D 3rd Edition.
Eiji Nakabayashi
Game Development Department
Hobby Japan, Inc.
WotC's Chris Perkins shortly thereafter clarified this, by saying "We want to adopt a plan that makes it possible for us to deliver new releases in multiple languages at the same time. That requires a lot of work on our end, and also likely ties into digital publishing."
Last week, Masaki Yanagida in Japan dropped me a note with the latest translation news from Japan.
As we know, Wizards of the Coast has not granted a translation license of the D&D 5th for other than English, yet. But Japanese D&D gamers obtained permission to publish the Basic Rules for D&D (Japanese version) on the Hobby Japan's D&D Suport page.
This translation made by volunteer who played D&D at D&D Adventure League (JapanRegion). Our regional coordinator and HJ's Staffs requested this permission to the WotC, and they gave it.
Player's rules comes first (PDF), and Dungeon Masters rules are in preparation now.
Some geek news sites picked up this news. And announced that, there is no plan to release a Japanese version of D&D 5th, but volunteer has translated free rules which is published at WotC site. So you can get this translation for free at HJ's D&D Site. Comments on this news shows that, not only active gamers but also retired gamers are
interested in this New D&D.
http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/newsclip/20150930_723372.html
http://www.4gamer.net/games/319/G031949/20151001001/
If D&D5th translated and sell legally, more Japanese gamers will return gameshop,play the D&D, and purchase the D&D. We hope the WotC to grant translation license of D&D for local publisher.
I think, this accomplishment will encourage all other non-English gamers demanding for translated D&D.
This translation made by volunteer who played D&D at D&D Adventure League (JapanRegion). Our regional coordinator and HJ's Staffs requested this permission to the WotC, and they gave it.
Player's rules comes first (PDF), and Dungeon Masters rules are in preparation now.
Some geek news sites picked up this news. And announced that, there is no plan to release a Japanese version of D&D 5th, but volunteer has translated free rules which is published at WotC site. So you can get this translation for free at HJ's D&D Site. Comments on this news shows that, not only active gamers but also retired gamers are
interested in this New D&D.
http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/newsclip/20150930_723372.html
http://www.4gamer.net/games/319/G031949/20151001001/
If D&D5th translated and sell legally, more Japanese gamers will return gameshop,play the D&D, and purchase the D&D. We hope the WotC to grant translation license of D&D for local publisher.
I think, this accomplishment will encourage all other non-English gamers demanding for translated D&D.
And just today, Info Kiem from Germany started a petition on Change.org, asking WotC to translate D&D into other languages.
With 5th Edition, Wizards of the Coast has dropped all partnerships with local publishers and stopped all foreign-language editions of the game. It may not be reflected by the sales numbers, but D&D needs a proper localization. Most dedicated players may still buy the English rulebooks, but there are always players at the table, especially younger ones, that need a translation. Other RPGs are translated, all previous editions of D&D were, why not this one? If we rally up support here, maybe we can change somebody's mind at Wizards of the Coast.
Translate the 5th Edition rulebooks!
. Watched big bang and decided i should give it a shot but i have to read the rules and then teach my friends whom also have never played, but ultimately i was thinking it would be no issue getting a Japanese Version of the booklets for the 5E Starter so my wife could easily follow along and learn also "She can read and write English fine but there are some words that would be hard to explain even to people in English let alone Japanese. I am shocked to find out there is no full Japanese and according to this forum any other language translations of the rule booklet and the game booklet. 
