Multilingual Linguistic Landscape on the Platform of Rinku Town Station

A Comparative Study of JR West and Nankai

Abstract

This study examines the representation of language and multilingual information delivery strategies on signage and information boards at the platform of Rinku Town Station in Osaka, jointly used by two railway operators: JR West and Nankai. Situated in Izumisano, Rinku Town serves as a major tourist area and a key transit point for air travelers from Kansai International Airport. This research compares the language use and methods of information presentation by the two operators. Through qualitative observation and linguistic landscape analysis, the study finds that while Japanese remains the primary language, there are significant differences in the way foreign language information is presented. The Nankai side tends to provide more comprehensive and detailed information in four languages—Japanese, English, Mandarin, and Korean—whereas the JR side uses fewer languages and provides less detail. These differences reflect each operator’s communication strategy and approach to service, particularly in attracting foreign tourists, and highlight how multilingual information presentation in public transport spaces plays a crucial role in enhancing accessibility and user experience.