Japan’s Foreign Ministry to use mobile phones to warn travelers of danger overseas

It doesn’t happen that often that we see governments using mobile technology for their citizens’ benefit. Naturally, it’s Japan where this kind of approach is used, as most of the population has a mobile phone.

Following the recent kidnapping of a Japanese student in Iran, Japan’s Foreign Ministry has decided to start using mobile phones to send e-mail alerts to travelers about danger in foreign countries. Apparently, the system will start operating by the end of next fiscal year, once privacy concerns are sorted out.

As for the marketing of the new system, the Ministry will be sticking up posters at major international airports and distributing pamphlets…

[Via: textually.org]