Tourist Info Signs to Be Upgraded with Private-Sector Cooperation

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has installed approximately 750 tourist information signs to ensure that foreign visitors, people with disabilities, elderly people, and others can enjoy walking around the city with peace of mind.

To further improve convenience for road users, the TMG, in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Corporation for Road Improvement and Management, will upgrade these panels by adopting private-sector initiatives.

Upgrades will include adopting internally illuminated signs to improve crime prevention, safety, and visibility; quickly updating map information; and increasing convenience by displaying disaster prevention information and other notices via digital signage.

To promote these upgrades using advertising revenue through the adoption of private-sector initiatives, the Corporation plans to publicly invite business operators in September to partner with and select a single company (or a joint venture) responsible for the renewal, maintenance, and management of tourist information panels. Subsequently, the selected business operator will proceed with the upgrades in stages.