Communication support for minorities provided at Tokyo’s evacuation shelters

Nippon Telegraph and Telecommunication East Corporation Tokyo East Branch (NTT East Tokyo East Branch) is providing all evacuation shelters in Bunkyo Ward “Mieru-Tsuyaku,” a tablet device with real-time visible interpretation for the first time in Tokyo. Bunkyo Ward has had a problem communicating with foreign residents and people with disabilities in case of emergencies like natural disasters. Interpretation technology provided by Terilogy Serviceware Co., Ltd. is expected to enable Bunkyo Ward to enhance its disaster prevention measures.

Bunkyo Ward tackles language barriers

Bunkyo Ward, the 5th most populated ward in Tokyo, has 10,000 foreigners and 19 universities (including Tokyo University), with many international students living in the ward. During the drill, a manager of the evacuation shelter found it challenging to communicate with foreigners and people with disabilities, especially when answering their questions. Also, it was challenging to promptly receive information on rationing and to understand the technical terms regarding natural disasters and their prevention.

The communication tool offers various languages including sign language

The interpretation tablet tool, “Mieru Tsuyaku,” meaning “visible interpretation,” is a device that connects shelter staff and people who do not speak Japanese by providing real-time interpretation service. Users can talk face to face to an interpreter just like a video call by choosing a language on the device’s screen. It is available in 13 languages (English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog, Nepali and Hindi), of which five languages, including English are available 24/7. Moreover, this service also can support people with hearing impairment as it is available in sign language.

NTT East Tokyo East Branch also provides “Touch Tsuyaku,” meaning “touch interpretation,” capable of reading aloud a selected language and usage offline in case of a network outage due to a disaster. Users need only to press and hold the selected conversation sentence, allowing for a simple and easy-to-use interface effective in many situations.

It must be intimidating for those who do not speak Japanese and who have difficulty communicating with others to spend nights in shelters. Japan needs to prepare for the rise in foreigners wanting to visit Japan with more multilingual services. This is a brilliant step toward an inclusive society by eliminating the language barrier through interpretation technology.