The number of electronic declaration terminals with facial recognition technology will be doubled to more than 50 at airports across Japan by the end of this year, it has been learned.
The Finance Ministry has decided to do so because the electronic customs declaration system (e-Gate) helps simplify customs procedures while reducing contact between customs officials and airline passengers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The e-Gate was first introduced at Narita Airport in April last year, and now a total of 22 terminals are installed at six airports in the nation.
Users enter the necessary information into a dedicated smartphone app and have it scanned along with their passport at the airport when they arrive.
The system eliminates the need to fill out a form on board the aircraft and hand it to customs officials.
As a measure against the smuggling of stimulants, the nation also plans to introduce radio wave testing equipment in fiscal 2022 at the earliest. The innovation would make it easier to detect stimulants hidden in and around the body.
The technology, which is being developed by the Finance Ministry's Central Customs Laboratory in Chiba Prefecture and other organizations, will be the first of its kind in the world if realized, sources said.
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