As the country prepares to host the 2002 Soccer World Cup, a growing number of local authorities and transportation operators are employing visually oriented communication means called pictograms on streets and at public facilities.
While conventional methods to "internationalize" informational signs have been to use roman letters or simply add English translations, city planners today are tasked with addressing the needs of non-English speaking foreigners.
The World Cup, to be cohosted by Japan and South Korea, will be Asia's first ever, and a large number of non-English speaking visitors are expected.