Romanized Signage Problems In Japan

Above, a typical street sign in Asakusa, Tokyo (upper left).  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan News has an interesting article on efforts to boost tourism to Japan, but there is a problem they need to address: signs.

The article states:

Better use of signs may be key to realizing “Japan is Back,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s new strategy to invigorate Japan. 

The strategy was announced in June, and one of its main goals is to raise the number of foreign tourists to 30 million by 2030. 

However, there are many issues to address to achieve this goal, observers say.

One problem is that many foreign tourists are puzzled by romanized signs at tourist spots and public transportation facilities that do not include any explanation of their meaning. 

For example, if foreigners see the sign “Kokkai-gijidomae” (which means “close to the Diet Building”), most will not know what that means.

Above, from the sign in front of the building, this is a hotel.  But there's nothing to indicate
to a non-Japanese that this is the Dormy Inn in Niigata.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides those kinds of signs, the private sector needs to also address this problem.  For example, when I went to Niigata in 2010, I had a taxi take me from the JR Niigata Station to my hotel, the Dormy Inn. When we got there, there was a sign in English indicating that the place is a hotel, but there was nothing to indicate that it was actually the Dormy Inn (see photo above) in English. At least the Hotel Asia Center of Japan in Tokyo has a sign in English telling new arrivals that they made it to the right place.

Fixing problems like this would go a long way to help foreign tourists to find their way to their destinations. Foreign tourists would not be so fearful in going to Japan knowing that they won't have to face a "Where the hell am I?" situation.

I've had no problem with the romanized signs at train and subway stations as I always have a map in hand. Others, who may not have the foresight to have a map handy, would be at a loss as to which is their stop.

To read the full article, go here.