2016 Volume 165 Pages 18-29
In response to the choice of Tokyo as the host city for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the current and projected rapid increase in tourists from abroad, a Council for Multilingual Measures in Preparation for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been established, with the goal of eliminating communication barriers for foreigners during their stay in Japan. Further, three subcouncils have been set up, to deal with issues related to Public Transport, Roads and Signage, and Tourism and Services. These will survey existing facilities for welcoming and assisting foreign tourists and consider how they may be expanded and improved. It is to be hoped that the results of the various initiatives undertaken by the Council will remain in place as a legacy of the Tokyo Olympics, and culminate in a linguistically barrier-free environment accessible to all.
