She is in Tokyo and wanted to know what is written on the sticker with the 1000 Yen.
Having studied Japanese, I quickly translate it for her without much effort.
She then asked me whether can buy electrical appliances in Japan.
I said, "Why not?"
However, I caution her to check on the voltage as I think Singapore and Japan are using different voltage for their electrical appliances.
She said it is very difficult to communicate with people in Japan because of language barrier.
I suggested that she uses sign language to communicate. Like holding the socket and pointing to it while saying "Singapore, same same?"
She said she tried doing it but the staff still did not understand her.
I quickly googled for Singapore and Japan electrical appliances voltage information, sent the link to her and asked her to show the information to the staff. With the digits and W sign, the staff probably can make out what she is trying to say.
Just then, I wondered why she and her husband who was with her didn't go online to find out these information. Whatever information you want or need, you can find it easily online.
She could also use an online translator to convert English to Japanese.
While she isn't that tech savvy, that shouldn't pose any issue as she can google whatever questions she has. The only reason I can think of her not doing it is she doesn't has internet access on her phone. Even s, she could do all the translations and store them somewhere unless she finds it too much a hassle. But doesn't that beats having to go back the next day?
Likewise, the staff could do the same. Unless they are specifically banned from using mobile phone at work. This simple solution probably never cross their minds.