Tokyo's Minato Ward offers website information in 108 languages

May 01, 2022 | News On Japan

May 01, 2022 (NHK) - Tokyo's Minato Ward has expanded a multi-language information service on its website to 108 languages from previous four. Around 17,000 people from about 130 countries live in the ward.

The municipal government conducted a survey last year on their multilingual services. Officials say many answered that they rely on the ward's webpage.

The officials began enhancing the language services of the website so that more foreign residents can get information on things such as vaccination programs, childcare support and garbage collection in their native language.

The service expanded in scope from four languages, namely Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Korean, to 108. Those languages include Ukrainian and Arabic.

It makes use of advanced AI translation and recognizes the language settings of a smartphone or a computer to automatically change the language of the website.

Officials say most of the native languages of residents of the ward are covered.

Minato City Homepage / 東京都港区ホームページ

Royals Watch Japan-Netherlands World Cup Together

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched Japan's opening FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands together with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, highlighting the close ties between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Dutch Royal Family.

Japan and Netherlands Share Points in Thrilling 2-2 World Cup Opener

Japan and the Netherlands played to a 2-2 draw in their opening Group F match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on June 14, with the Samurai Blue twice coming from behind to earn a valuable point against one of the tournament's traditional powers.

Driver Escapes After Ramming Into LDP Lawmaker's Office

Police in Kyoto Prefecture are investigating a hit-and-run after a vehicle crashed into the Maizuru office of Liberal Democratic Party Lower House member Taro Honda late on June 13 before the driver fled the scene.

Fire Torches Naritasan Shokoji Temple in Hokkaido

A fire broke out at a Buddhist temple in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on June 13th, sending flames soaring from the building and causing temporary alarm in a nearby residential neighborhood before being largely extinguished about two hours later.

Japan Moves To Tackle Potty Parity

The Japanese government on June 12th released new guidelines calling for women’s toilets to have at least as many fixtures as men’s toilets in public facilities, seeking to address the persistent problem of long queues at women’s restrooms in places such as train stations and event venues.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Hokkaido Charity Donations Go Missing

The Hokkaido Community Chest, which operates Japan's annual Red Feather Community Chest fundraising campaign, has revealed that approximately 180 million yen in donated funds are unaccounted for, with a senior official suspected of misappropriating the money over several years.

Japanese Imperial Couple Stroll Around Dutch Royal Villa

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who are visiting the Netherlands, took a stroll around the grounds of the Dutch royal family's residence where they are staying, revisiting places connected to a previous visit two decades ago.

Syrian Man Dies After Raft Capsizes in Gifu River

A 23-year-old Syrian man died after drowning in the Itadori River in Seki, Gifu Prefecture, on June 14th while enjoying a river outing with friends.

Fire Torches Naritasan Shokoji Temple in Hokkaido

Four Nabbed in 870,000-Yen All-You-Can-Drink Scam

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of defrauding a man in his 20s out of 870,000 yen by disguising a rental room in Osaka as a bar and luring customers through a matchmaking app.

Man Arrested for Allegedly Stealing School Slippers to Satisfy Sexual Urges

A 25-year-old construction worker arrested for allegedly breaking into a high school in Mie Prefecture and stealing slippers and indoor shoes told investigators he wanted to become sexually aroused, police said.

LUUP User Dies in First Fatal Scooter Crash Confirmed on Tokyo Roadway

A 62-year-old man riding a LUUP electric scooter died following a collision with a pedestrian at an intersection in Tokyo's Koto Ward on June 2nd, marking what is believed to be the first confirmed fatal accident involving a LUUP user on a Tokyo roadway.

Ex-Boyfriend Suspected of Murdering High School Girl

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a 17-year-old high school student was found unconscious on a riverbank in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and later pronounced dead.

< 2 3 4 5 >