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Sunday, 30th November 2014
In Events In Japan,
Tokyo subway stations to get free wi-fi
Tokyo is hoping to go some way towards improving wi-fi access for visitors in Japan, with the introduction of free wi-fi at 143 stations on its extensive subway network. The technology is to start arriving next month, allowing passengers to get connected via a simple user registration process through a special mobile application.
It's all being implemented by the Tokyo metropolitan government's Bureau of Transportation and the Tokyo Metro Company, both of which stated that implementation will begin at those stations used most by foreign visitors.
These will include 35 stations on the four Toei subway lines, including Shinjuku, Tochomae, Tsukijishijo and Daimon. In addition, 108 stations across all nine of the Tokyo Metro subway lines including Ginza, Shibuya, Ikebukuro and Ueno will also benefit from the scheme.
Visitors will need some level of organisation to use the new service as they will need to register their email addresses on a recognition app called Japan Connected - Free Wi-Fi, which they will need to download to their devices. The app also allows access to around 90,000 other hotspots, including Toei buses and major airports such as Haneda and Narita.
Tokyo is not the only in Japan to have implemented city-wide free wi-fi for visitors. Those going to Kyoto can make use of a similar scheme set up at many of the subway stations and on some of the main streets in the centre.
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