An Internet-based sign language service launched by a university student a few years ago is finding its way into hotels, restaurants and other public places.

The service works by allowing a hearing-impaired person at, say, a shoe store, to "speak" to an interpreter via a camera-equipped computer so the interpreter can tell the clerk what the shopper wants. The clerk's reply is conveyed by the interpreter via the computer.

The service is available through ShuR Co. in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Junto Ohki started up ShuR in 2008 when he was a university sophomore.