Contrasting Views of English Advertising Signs in Japan as 'Innovative' and 'Erroneous'

lnagawa (2015) and Barrs (2015) present contrasting views of the role of English language advertising signs in Japan. lnagawa sees signs as innovative and creative whereas Barrs sees signs as hindering communication of information to English speakers. Several commentators support the points of view of Inagawa and Barrs. Ideal reconciliation of the contrasting views presented by Inagawa, Barrs and others might be possible if a local variety of innovative English is preserved for Japanese speakers while, at the same time, mistakes are reduced by proof-reading.