A government panel of experts for the Cool Japan initiative, which aims to promote Japanese culture abroad, proposed on Tuesday that Japan set up "special English zones" to enhance communication ability in English. The government will include this proposal in cultural policies ahead of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

In the proposal submitted to administrative reform minister Tomomi Inada, experts said companies in the envisioned special zones should receive preferential tax treatment if they adopt English as their common language. The panel also recommended the government provide subsidies to TV stations that offer English subtitles and audio channels.

Reference: MSN Sankei News, 26/08/2014 (accessed on 28/08/2014)