Tokyo and the central government "launched on Wednesday a public-private council to come up with ways to put up more multiple-language signs for the 2020 Olympics," according to Masaaki Kameda of the JAPAN TIMES. Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe said at the council’s inauguration, “It’s important to improve the environment for welcoming an influx of foreign visitors, in addition to preparing competition venues, to hold the best-ever Olympics and Paralympics." During its first meeting, "the council established three subcommittees, one on mass transit, one on street signs and one on the sightseeing and services industry." The council "adopted English and pictograms in addition to Japanese as the basic languages for signs and boards" (JAPAN TIMES, 3/19). KYODO reported the government will set up a panel to promote Japanese culture abroad under the "Cool Japan" initiative toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (KYODO, 3/18).
MEET AND GREET: Newly-elected Indian Olympic Association President Narayana Ramachandran on Tuesday said that he would be meeting IOC President Thomas Bach later this month "to find a way forward for India" (IANS, 3/18).
