04 JAN 2017:  Japan says it will add 30,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots for tourists ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 14,000 hotspots have already been installed. The project will provide Wi-Fi access at many museums and national parks and all will be free for public use.

The affairs and communications ministry said that by increasing connectivity, they will be able to improve monitoring of tourists’ movements and provide assistance in the event of natural disasters or other disruptions.

One purpose of the project is also to better gather and determine traveller behaviour and demographics for use in future tourism promotional campaigns.