JAPAN

Japan's communications ministry finalizes plan for 30,000 Wi-Fi spots by 2020

The crossing next to Shibuya Station. According to 2015 data from the ministry, 86 percent of Japan's major airports were equipped with Wi-Fi, but the rate fell to only 32 percent of major train stations. | ISTOCK

By Daisuke Kikuchi
Staff Writer

Dec 26, 2016

The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry announced on Monday a finalized plan to establish 30,000 Wi-Fi access points nationwide in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

The ministry had said in 2015 that its major objective is to provide connectivity to victims of potential disasters and to tourists. It planned to install Wi-Fi in public facilities such as schools, government buildings, museums and cultural heritage sites, including historical ruins.

"A total of 14,000 facilities are done, and there are 16,000 more" still to be equipped with Wi-Fi networks, said Go Katsuhata, a ministry official in charge of local internet access.

Japan's communications ministry finalizes plan for 30,000 Wi-Fi spots by 2020

In your social network

In your inbox

In your social network

In your inbox