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Japan to use English traffic signs amid rise in tourist accidents

TOKYO - Japan plans to introduce English traffic signs next year in response to an increasing number of accidents involving foreign drivers amid the ongoing tourism boom.

The National Police Agency on Thursday unveiled design plans for stop and slow signs in both Japanese and English. The agency plans to start using them next July after collecting public feedback.

The number of traffic accidents causing injury or death involving foreign drivers totalled 216 in 2015, up from 178 in 2012. The increase comes as the number of foreign visitors to Japan has risen at a record-breaking pace.

The figure topped 20 million in the first 10 months of this year for the first time.

With more foreigners expected to come ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the agency is hoping that the new signs will help visitors driving rental cars better understand Japanese traffic rules.

Japan's conventional stop sign, which was adopted in 1963, is in the shape of an inverted triangle, unlike the octagon shape widely used around the world.

Concerned that the difference could hamper foreign drivers from recognising the sign, the agency had solicited ideas for a new sign from foreigners, as well as journalists and university professors among others.

The agency may prioritise tourist spots for the rollout of new signs.

Currently, Japan has around 1.7 million stop signs and 1,000 slow signs, the agency said, adding it is expected to take more than a decade to renew all those signs.