Lost in translation: Signs puzzle overseas tourists in Japan

Language miscues provoke amusement, confusion -- and sometimes outrage

The original version of this sign on Mount Takao in western Tokyo told Chinese hikers: "Go home if you do not throw away your trash." (Photo by Satsuki Kaneko)

SHOSUKE KATO and SATSUKI KANEKO, Nikkei staff writers

May 19, 2019 15:00 JST

TOKYO -- Imagine you are a Chinese tourist visiting Japan for the first time. Your travels take you to Osaka and the 40-story Umeda Sky Building, with its fine views of the city. After awhile, you look for the exit and are confronted with the following sign in Chinese: "Ni tui chu." ("You get out of here.")