Easier free Wi-Fi access for foreigners planned

Wireless carriers in Japan are teaming up to offer foreign tourists easier access to free Wi-Fi. Currently, free Wi-Fi is available at a growing number of locations, including train stations, hotels, public facilities, and shops. The trend comes as foreign visitors have complained about hefty bills for Japanese mobile services. But they now have to enter account data on mobile devices each time they move to different Wi-Fi spots or choose different service providers. Companies, including Softbank and a KDDI subsidiary, are working together to solve the problem. They plan to launch a new service that will not require foreign travelers to sign up once they register their ID data to access free Wi-Fi from partner providers. The firms seek to start the service across the country in about a year’s time. They will study security measures, including ID procedures to use the new service. This is the first time...