A panel of government and private-sector consultants says several commonly used map symbols should be revised in order to make Japan more visitor-friendly.
The members studied 90 pictograms that differ from international standards. Of 7 marked for review, they suggested 5 be changed. They include the signs for parking lots, first aid rooms and other facilities.
The others represent left luggage counters, rooms for feeding babies or changing diapers, and train transfers.
The new symbol for a parent’s room will show a feeding bottle and an adult changing a baby’s diaper.
The panel suggested revising symbols for hot spring baths and tourist information centers. But it said current versions could be kept. The new symbol for “information center”, presently a question mark, will be the letter “i”.
The panel said the hot spring mark should be retained as Japanese people are familiar with it. A proposed revision based on an international standard shows 3 people soaking in hot water.
Common symbols for public facilities and tourist spots conform with Japanese Industrial Standards, or JIS. The government plans to revise these, probably around July.
Source and image: NHK
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