(1) Abolition of business monopoly regulations / Survival of monopoly regulations
“Licensed Guide Interpreters” will be changed from a business exclusive qualification to a name exclusive qualification (*), and a wide variety of interpreters will be able to conduct tours in foreign languages.
In addition, according to the revised law, “Licensed Guide Interpreters” will be regarded as "National Licensed Guide Interpreters”, so those who already have this qualification will not need be reissued a registration certificate.
*Regulation prohibiting those without a qualification from using the name of the qualification or similar name.

(2) Nationwide expansion of Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter system
Special regional guides, which had been introduced based on special laws in the past, will be placed under the main rules of the Licensed Guide Interpreters Act, and will be newly rolled out nationwide as part of the “Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter” system.
In addition, according to the revised law, “regional-specific guide interpreters” and “special regional guide interpreters” will be regarded as a "Regional Licensed Guide Interpreters”, so those who already have this qualification will not need be reissued a registration certificate.

(3) Mandatory training for National Licensed Guide Interpreters at registered training organizations
National Licensed Guide Interpreters now much attend "registered training organization training" conducted by registered training organizations every five years on the knowledge required by Licensed Guide Interpreters in practical tasks such as itinerary management and disaster response. (Scheduled to start sequentially from FY2020)
If a National Licensed Guide Interpreter does not attend training at a registered training organization, prefectures can cancel the registration of the interpreter. (Registration is not allowed for 2 years after cancellation)

■How to become a National Licensed Guide Interpreter
To become a Nationwide Licensed Guide Interpreter, you must pass the National Licensed Guide Interpreter Exam prescribed in Article 6 of the Licensed Guide Interpreters Act and register with the governor of the prefecture where you reside. If you have been registered as a National Licensed Guide Interpreter, you will be issued a "National Licensed Guide Interpreter Registration Card".
For prefectural governor registration, please directly contact the prefectural office in charge.

■How to become a Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter
In regions where the Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter system has already been introduced, the timing and recruitment method will differ depending on the region, so please ask the municipal government.
In addition, in regions where the Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter system has not been introduced, each municipal government must establish a "Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter Plan" that requires the approval of the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency. By attending the training described in the plan, you will be able to register as a Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter. In addition, if you have been registered as a Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter, you will be issued a "Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter Registration Card".
*The Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter Training Plan and other plans must be created based on the "Basic Guidelines for Training Regional Licensed Guide Interpreters".

On January 4, 2018, the Revised Licensed Guide Interpreters Act was enacted, and now even those without qualifications can provide tourist information in a foreign language for a fee.
However, Licensed Guide Interpreters (National Licensed Guide Interpreters and Regional Licensed Guide Interpreters) continue to play an important role in providing high-quality tourist information and supporting the satisfaction of foreign tourists visiting Japan.
We conducted a survey on the appeal of Licensed Guide Interpreters to travel agencies and accommodation facilities, and produced a video based on the results to disseminate their appeal.
The Japan Tourism Agency will use this video to disseminate the appeal of Licensed Guide Interpreters and to promote efforts to improve the recognition and their use both inside and outside Japan. Please check here for more details about the video.