Tokyo station trials sound visualization for deaf and hard of hearing
A train station in Tokyo started reproducing platform announcements and the sounds of train arrivals and departures onto a screen in the form of text and sign language.
Disaster-focused pictograms bringing clarity during crises in Japan
So far, the diagrams have been installed at more than 300 locations by fire departments, hospitals and commercial facilities in 29 prefectures.
City halls tap AI to interpret sign language in Japan
A system jointly developed by the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo and SoftBank Corp. converts sign-language gestures into written text.
Read my lips: Transparent face masks help deaf people amid pandemic
The firm said the masks were made in response to concerns by people with hearing and speech impediments who have struggled to communicate during the crisis.
Starbucks Coffee Japan Ltd. said Wednesday it will open its first store in the country with sign language ability for hearing impaired customers. ...
Japan plans phone relay service for those with impaired hearing, catching up with rest of G7
The government plans to launch a telephone relay service to enable people with hearing disabilities to chat online via sign language, government officials said Thursday. Japan will be the last of the Group of Seven advanced countries to launch such a service for people who ...
Little AI things for life adjustments
A portable breathalyzer that offers drinking advice, an app that will sort out all your photos, and a hearing aid that can translate 27 languages — all with a little help of AI.
Deaf filmmaker Emilio Insolera flexes his superpowers with 'Sign Gene'
Emilio Insolera's "Sign Gene" gave the world its first deaf superheroes. But after writing, directing, producing and starring in the film himself, you might argue that Insolera is the one with the superpowers. And the filmmaker says he can thank a stint in Japan for ...
Japanese and South Korean firms look to tap global hearing aid market
Litalico Inc., a Japanese social enterprise, will use a South Korean startup's technology to tap the global hearing aid market and provide hearing aids at a much more affordable price. Litalico has acquired an equity stake in Olive Union Inc., which has developed a wireless ...
Entrepreneur taps Skype, tablets to offer sign language service across Japan
Imagine you're a hearing impaired person who wants to hire a sign language interpreter. The process is antiquated and lengthy. You have to send a fax to a local municipal government to make a reservation two weeks in advance, and officials then look for ...
Deaf community hopes 2020 Olympics a 'game-changer' for better social inclusion
Peggy Prosser was sitting in front of a travel agent in Japan when she was abruptly informed that she would not be able to fly back to the United States to visit her family because she is deaf. When Prosser sat down with him, she ...
Japan to allow those with hearing aids to drive taxis and buses
The National Police Agency will revise the ordinance of the road traffic law to allow people who use hearing aids to obtain taxi or bus driving licenses in Japan.
