Expansion of Multilingual Interpretation Service KOTOBAL in Tokyo Facilities

In a remarkable initiative to foster inclusivity and enhance communication, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has expanded its multilingual interpretation service, KOTOBAL, to 110 public facilities across the city. This service, developed by Konica Minolta Japan, aims to create a society where people from diverse backgrounds, including foreigners and individuals with disabilities, can connect seamlessly. This expansion is part of Tokyo's broader commitment to establishing an inclusive city in preparation for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, utilizing digital technologies to connect “anytime, anywhere, with anyone.”

Following the successful implementation of KOTOBAL in 38 facilities last June, the recent addition of 110 locations marks a significant leap forward. The service is designed to overcome language barriers and facilitate smooth interactions at reception desks, ensuring everyone—regardless of their abilities or language—can access services effectively.

Konica Minolta Japan has been providing the KOTOBAL service since 2020, working with governmental offices, local authorities, hotels, and car rental services to support communication with foreign nationals and those with hearing impairments. The KOTOBAL service incorporates AI-driven machine translation and offers 24/7 access to online operators. It supports interpretation in up to 32 languages, which also includes voice transcription and sign language services.

One of the standout features of KOTOBAL is its Real-Time AI Interpretation. This advanced function allows the AI to automatically detect spoken language without the need for users to manually switch between screens or buttons, enabling smooth and uninterrupted communication. This seamless experience ensures conversations flow naturally, allowing users to connect without frustration.

The supported languages include English, Chinese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, Tagalog, Nepalese, Indonesian, Russian, Hindi, Sinhala, French, Burmese, Arabic, Italian, Urdu, Dutch, Khmer, Danish, German, Turkish, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Malay, Mongolian, Lao, Ukrainian, Bengali, and Japanese (including voice transcription and simplified Japanese).

For a complete list of facilities implementing KOTOBAL, please refer to the official Tokyo Metropolitan Government press release. Tokyo Facilities Press Release

As tokyo takes strides towards being an inclusive hub, Konica Minolta Japan continues to embrace its role, working collaboratively with various stakeholders to address communication challenges. By leveraging KOTOBAL, they aim to generate new value and enrich the visitor and resident experience in Tokyo.

Visit the KOTOBAL product site for more information: KOTOBAL Site.

The KOTOBAL service is a trademark or registered trademark of Konica Minolta, Inc. The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics is a trademark of the organizing committee.

For inquiries about the KOTOBAL service, please contact:

- Phone: 050-3188-1086
- Website: KOTOBAL Inquiry