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Ever gotten confused in a foreign country because you couldn't understand the signs?

Japan knows your pain, with one prefecture now rolling out painfully obvious signs in a bid to make visitors feel more welcome. 。

26 signs have been rolled out across the Iwate Prefecture, in a campaign titled "Ten ways to make travelers happy."。

Signs include a man breathing fire to indicate the food is spicy, a pig inside a bowl letting diners know the dish contains pork and another swiping a giant card to indicate that credit cards are accepted. 。

Credit: Morioka Regional Development Bureau
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Officials behind the campaign are also holding lectures around the city to encourage locals to offer help and interact with tourists, even if it is "in broken English." 。

"Until recently some owners believed their profits from serving only locals were sufficient, and due to the language barrier, they may have left foreign visitors with a feeling that they were not welcome," said Takefumi Shimomukai, director of the Iwate Prefectural Government's Morioka Regional Development Bureau. 。

"I believe that we can show off our hospitality and convince tourists that [we are] good places [to visit]."。

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