The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Friday that it is planning to introduce a system for smartphones that allows visitors to Japan to get information in several languages on products they want to buy simply by scanning them.
"Now that the number of foreign tourists to Japan is rising, with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics expected to further boost tourism, we want to help tourists enjoy shopping during their stay," said a METI representative from the distribution and retail industry division.
"The labeling system in particular and a lack of such information in foreign languages seems to be one of the major problems visitors to Japan are facing, and it's regrettable they can't enjoy shopping because of that," he said.