Haneda Airport to host ‘Readable Telephone Box’ event

The Nippon Foundation Telephone Relay Service will host a four-day experiential event titled ‘Readable Telephone Box’ at Haneda Airport during the 2026 Silver Week holidays. The event, scheduled from September 21 to September 24, 2026, aims to raise awareness about hearing diversity and the evolution of telecommunications.

Participants can experience ‘Yometel,’ a service that converts spoken words into real-time text, allowing users to ‘read’ a caller's voice. The installation will feature a split environment: one side showcasing traditional audio telephones and historical exhibits, and the other featuring the Yometel telephone box. This setup allows visitors to witness the real-time conversion of speech to text on large screens.

Launched in January 2025, Yometel is a public infrastructure service designed for individuals who have difficulty hearing voices during phone calls. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and seeks to promote a society where everyone can communicate reliably via telephone.