Japan developing app for tourists

Japan developing app for tourists

Japan’s industry ministry is developing a mobile application to allow tourists to scan tags using their mobile phone cameras and get a translation in English and other languages.

The project involves 55 retail and manufacturing companies from different sectors, including Japanese convenience store giant Lawson, cosmetics company Kao and pharmaceutical company Takeda, local daily Asahi reported.

The application, expected to be available by the end of 2016, will allow a customer to scan the quick response, or QR codes or similar tags on products or shelves using their smartphone cameras.

It will allow foreign tourists with specific needs such as a particular medicine, to buy products easily.

The ministry is also considering introducing other languages in the system, including Chinese or Korean given the large influx of tourists from East Asia.

The app is inspired by a similar system that is already in operation in 7-Eleven stores in popular tourist spots in Japan.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]