Interesting news from Japan.*The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) has released a set of new standard symbols for foreign-language maps*in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“To build a tourism-oriented nation and ensure smooth implementation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Japan needs to create an environment where foreign visitors can easily get transport and accommodations.*For that purpose, it is especially important to disseminate multilingual maps that are easy for foreigners to understand”*said a GSI report on new map guidelines.
Many symbols have different meaning (or no meaning) in*various*cultures. Some of traditional Japanese symbols were perceived as difficult to understand*or even offensive.*The most notorious of these is the swastika-like symbol for a temple. The X symbol for police might be also quite difficult to understand for the majority of*foreigners in Japan.
GSI conducted a survey among about 1,000 people*including embassy officials, foreign students and tourists on the streets. Based on questionnaire results they’ve decided to change the most common map symbols.*The pictograms cover the places and services the GSI believes are most important to foreign visitors like*hotels, toilets, convenience stores, police stations and hospitals. The symbols*will be officially adopted by the end of March, after a period in which members of the public can comment.
The post Japan updates map symbols to help foreigners find their way appeared first on Geoawesomeness.