Local governments in Japan are turning to artificial intelligence to improve communication with people who are deaf or hard of hearing at their counters for the public. A system jointly developed by the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo and SoftBank Corp. converts sign-language gestures into written text. While the system currently requires equipment at counters, municipalities hope it will eventually be usable with just a smartphone. At the Narashino city office in Chiba Prefecture, a woman with a hearing disability asked directions to the restroom using sign language while standing in front of a camera. A text translation appeared on a staff member's computer display after about three seconds. The spoken response then appeared as text on the screen in front of the woman, making for a smooth interaction.