English words to be added to stop, slow signs in Japan

The National Police Agency is set to renew Japan’s stop and slow down signs by adding English words to the current designs, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, according to sources. As the number of visitors from abroad is expected to increase, the new signs are aimed at preventing traffic accidents involving foreign travelers. The NPA will canvas public opinion regarding the plan from Friday to Jan. 14 next year. After revising the related laws, the current signs will be replaced with new ones starting in July next year. The current “Tomare” (stop) and “Joko” (slow down) signs were introduced in 1963. This will be the first change to the displays. The inverted triangle shapes will stay the same, but the English word “STOP” will be added below “Tomare,” and “SLOW” below “Joko.” Stop signs are currently placed in about 1.7 million locations nationwide, and slow down signs...