Japan speeds up immigration and customs checks with one-stop gates

Hong Kong travelers will enjoy faster entry to Japan as its three major airports introduce new one-stop electronic gates this April.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan announced that foreign passport holders are eligible to use the system, Joint Kiosks, to streamline arrival procedures.

The authorities noted that overseas visitors must fill in their personal information through the official website Visit Japan Web at least six hours before arriving in the country. 

Visitors will need to scan their passports and QR codes to complete immigration and customs procedures under the instructions, saving an estimated 20 minutes of waiting time. 

It is also highlighted that the new gates are applicable to travelers using wheelchairs, while advanced facial recognition technology is also used.

The new system will be introduced at both terminals of Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture on April 1.

The technology will be available at Terminals 2 and 3 of Tokyo's Haneda Airport on April 1 and April 11 respectively, while Terminal 3 at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture will start using the gates from April 7.

(Judy Cui)