A SYMBOLIC VIEW Japan updates signage

Posted on 01/13/2016 | About Japan

In anticipation of the 2020 Olympics, Japan’s survey and mapping agency has come up with new, more appropriate, symbols for their foreign language maps. The new set of symbols are meant to be clearer and less offensive than the ones they are replacing and to be sure of consensus, the agency polled over a thousand people for feedback.

The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) put together a panel of experts who polled people from 92 countries and regions as well as embassy officials, foreign students and random tourists. “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” said a GSI report on new map guidelines. “For that purpose, it is especially important to disseminate multilingual maps that are easy for foreigners to understand.”

One symbol being replaced is the one for the temple which previously had the appearance of a swastika; and as a result of the change will look like a three story pagoda. Japan has over 6,000 small neighbourhood police stations where officers can watch and interact with people. These units are called police boxes and prior to the change by GSI were depicted with a large X, which meant nothing to tourists. The new symbol will be identified by a saluting officer in uniform. The symbol for hot springs was criticized for looking like a soup dish. It remains as it is.

Pictograms will also identify convenience stores and tourist information centres. Takayuki Nakamura, the organization’s executive officer for national mapping said that for now the new symbols will only be used on non-Japanese maps. “Japanese users are divided in their opinions on the new symbols,” Nakamura said.

“Some say we should change symbols for Japanese-language maps at this opportunity, while others say the traditional symbols should stay. Either way, it will take a while before any changes are made, as we need to coordinate with related government agencies.” The new pictograms will launch in early spring.