The Tokyo Metro and Toei subway companies announced this week that as part of the preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games and to help foreign tourists, they will start providing free Wi-Fi at 143 subway stations throughout the metropolitan area beginning in December.

Of the 143 stations, stations in Roppongi, Asakusa and Ginza have the highest volume of foreign tourists that pass through them, officials said. Many foreign tourists in the past have complained about the inability to use wireless Internet while using public transportation in Tokyo.

Users will need to download the free Japan Connected Free Wi-Fi app before they can access the network. Each session is valid for three hours of service, and there’s no limit on the number of sessions for a single user.

Tokyo Gov Yoichi Masuzoe told a news conference that he hopes the new service will allow foreign visitors to easily navigate the metropolitan area transportation system, TBS reported.

Free Wi-Fi service has been available on all 1,452 Toei buses operated by the Tokyo metropolitan government since March.

© Japan Today