"Koban" to Feature English/Chinese Speaking Policemen

In case you are not familiar with "Koban", you'll be interested to know that at busy street corners in Tokyo stand tiny cottage-like structures staffed with policemen to help out passers-by at a loss where to go. It's called Koban, first installed in 1871 early in Meiji, that has done rather well in keeping up general policing in town.

Now, the Metropolitan Police Department assigned English/Chinese-speaking policemen to Koban at two busy sections of Tokyo, September 30, Kabukicho, Shinjuku, and near Shibuya Station, Tokyo.

It's a trial project with 2020 in mind. The model Koban is fully equipped with the 19-language tablet to handle enquiries by visiting foreign tourists.

Marshall Yasuo Sakuragi of Shinjuku Police Stations said in his address at the opening of the language-supporting Koban that the new type fo Koban would help highlight the spirit of Omotenashi and promote public safety at street corners.

Some twitters complain there ought to be more than two, unaware that this is a trial measure and will likely grow in number. Others find the idea rather cool and hope other sections like Roppongi could join.

While many foreigners visiting Japan find the language barrier here frightful enough at times, a number of my acquaintances find it rather a challenging part of their experience living in Japan. They find instead its people lavishly hospitable and the so-called spirit of Omotenashi abundant in the helpful gestures of individuals.

The language-friendly Koban is one cool gesture to minimize the threats of language barrier in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

Lest I should miss enlightening you, you can tell Koban from other similar structures at the street corners by an eye-catching red lightbulb glittering at its entrance. (Nathan Shiga)