"There are many ways to ask your passengers to fasten their seat belts. The easiest is to say, 'Seat belt please,' but you should never add the word 'take' as it then means you want that to be stolen," an English teacher said in Japanese with a subtle smile.

With the 2020 Olympics six months away, a wide array of businesses in Japan are ramping up preparations, just like the athletes.

The taxi industry, which is benefitting from the jump in tourists, is a leading example of sectors that are viewing the quadrennial sporting extravaganza as a once in a lifetime opportunity.