Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward updates website to include 108 languages
13:58 JST, February 21, 2022
Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward has revamped its website to make content available in 108 languages, thereby increasing convenience for non-Japanese residents.
A local government official said, “We’d like to accurately convey ward-related information, including intel on novel coronavirus infections and disaster prevention to Japanese and non-Japanese alike.”
According to the ward, 21,591 foreign nationals from 96 countries were living in Katsushika as of Feb. 1. Until the renewal, website content was only offered in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, falling short of the needs of the ward’s residents who collectively speak more than 60 languages.
Additionally, the website’s content is automatically translated into the language that users have set on their respective smartphones or PCs — formerly, it was necessary to users to manually change the language from Japanese.
Katsushika Ward is home to the nation’s largest Ethiopian community, comprising more than 80 individuals. Languages used in Ethiopia include Amharic and Somali, according to Abebe Sahlesilassie Amare, director of the Adeyabeba Ethiopia Association, a nonprofit body that supports Ethiopians living in Japan.
It is thought that many Ethiopians in the ward did not use the website due to the language barriers. Now, however, information is available in both Amharic and Somali.
“Foreigners are keen to get information on topics such as disaster prevention, changes of address and child rearing, Abebe” said. “I’m happy to share the changes with the Ethiopian community so people can make effective use of the website”.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
-
Typhoon Kong-rey to Reach South of Japan’s Okinawa on Thursday; JWA Urges High Alert for Strong Winds, Heavy Rain
-
Typhoon Trami Forms East of Philippines, Moving Westward
-
Typhoon Kong-rey Expected to Turn into Tropical Storm after Possible Pass Over Taiwan
-
Sapporo Sees Season’s 1st Snowfall; Snow Comes 8 Days Earlier Than Average
JN ACCESS RANKING
- JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
- G20 Sees Soft Landing for Global Economy; Leaders Pledge to Resist Protectionism as Trump Calls for Imported Goods Flat Tariff
- Japanese Automakers Team Up on Software Development; Aim to Compete with U.S., China in SDV Market
- China Struggles to Develop Passenger Jet to Rival Boeing, Airbus; Russian Cooperation Falls
- 2024 POLLS: Ruling Camp Likely to Win Lower House Majority