can someone help me translate these japanese or chinese characters?

ya, its a lucky charm. and the character on it is Chinese .

and from that picture must read it from right to left,
to be like this : " 招 財 進 寶 "

" 招 財 進 寶 " its pronunciation is " zhāo cái jìn bǎo "

" 招 財 進 寶 " is wrote in form of traditional chinese -which is usually used in taiwan, hongkong, macao...;

the simplified chinese form that usually used in mainland china, singapore....., will be wrote like this " 招 财 进 宝 "

" 招 " zhāo - means bring
" 財 " (财) cái - means wealth
" 進 " (进) jìn - means in / enter
" 寶 " (宝) bǎo - means treasure

" 招 財 進 寶 " (招 财 进 宝) zhāo cái jìn bǎo
> means to bring in wealth and treasure
-- felicitous wish of making money; to amass fortunes
.

These are good luck charms for the new year or new house celebrations. It goes from right to left [Chinese are written top to bottom, then right to left].

It meant Engage good fortune and bring valued treasures. What else ?

Good luck !