From ramen shops to sushi stands, there’s no doubt that eating out is big business in Japan. But authentic, local dining is off-limits to many foreigners due to the formidable language barrier that persists outside major cities. Could an app get tourists to pick up the chopsticks?

Omotenashi – which roughly translates as ‘selfless hospitality’ – is a complex concept; one the Japanese pride themselves on. As the 2020 Olympics approach, Japan is preparing to serve it up on a mass scale, turning to robots for help. But are androids advanced enough to emulate such a human service?

In the run up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Japan is looking to attract more foreign visitors. But many tourists are put off visiting by the country's notoriously homogenous culture, which alienates non-Japanese speakers. Umami is an app making it easier for tourists to get a taste of local cuisine.

Tourism is booming in Japan, and with the upcoming 2020 Olympics, it's only set to increase. To better cater to the influx of foreign travellers, plans are being made to introduce more Western-style toilet bowls so tourists can feel at home when they're in the bathroom.