【Week 8】Pokemon Go

Pokémon Go launches in Japan amid safety warnings

Augmented reality game finally released in country of birth along with flurry of safety tips to keep users safe on the streets

Japan’s National Centre for Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cyber security urged gamers not to play while walking or riding a bicycle, and to ensure that their hunt for monsters does end with them being arrested for trespassing.

Niantic’s chief executive, John Hanke, said: “When you go out to play, keep your head up, look around, enjoy the world around you and be safe,” .

Even the government’s top spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, was moved to comment on the public safety implications of millions of people fixated on their smartphone screens.

In the US, where Pokémon Go saw 10 million downloads in just a few days after its release, some players have walked into obstacles and injuring themselves.

In Ohio, three teenagers reportedly stumbled on to the premises of a nuclear power plant, while in California two men fell off of cliff while hunting for characters.

Japanese railway companies implored passengers not to use the app while waiting for trains at busy stations. “We’ve been repeatedly asking them not to use smartphones while walking on platforms,” said Tatsuo Kijima, president of West Japan Railway.

Excerpt from: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/22/pokemon-go-launches-in-japan-amid-safety-warnings

Structure of the lead:

Who: Japan’s National Centre for Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cyber security

What: urged gamers not to play while walking or riding a bicycle
Where: Japan
When: Not given
Why: Not given

How: Not given

Key Words:

amid (prep.)在…之中

Augmented reality (n.)擴增實境
flurry (n.)擔心、慌張

Cyber security (n.)網路安全

trespass (v.)侵入、侵犯
fixate (v.)注視
obstacle (v.)障礙物
stumble (v.)絆倒
implored (v.)懇求