Facial recognition gates at Haneda on Wednesday

October 15, 2017

Tokyo- The Justice Ministry on Friday unveiled unmanned facial recognition gates that will be introduced at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda on Wednesday to speed up immigration control procedures for the Japanese.

The recognition system is capable of judging whether face photographs of travelers taken with cameras at the gates match their passport photos in about 10 seconds, the ministry said.

On Wednesday, three gates will be put into use, first for Japanese nationals returning home.

The ministry hopes to introduce the system at the Narita, Chubu and Kansai international airports in fiscal 2018, including for departing Japanese nationals.

After entering a gate, travelers will be required to stand in front of a mirror-like display where photos are taken. Hats and masks must be taken off.

A traveler who do not pass will be asked to go through checks by immigration officers.

The ministry hopes to enhance immigration checks for foreigners by shifting part of the personnel checking homecoming people. Jiji Press