Japan Enhances Airport Efficiency with Unified Immigration, Customs Gates
— March 25, 2025
TOKYO (AIA) Three major Japanese airports will introduce new electronic kiosks from April to streamline immigration and customs checks, simplifying the current process that requires travellers to show their passports multiple times, government agencies announced Tuesday.
The Japan Customs and Immigration Services Agency said the one-stop gates, called joint kiosks, will be available for returning Japanese travellers and foreign visitors. The new system aims to improve convenience and reduce processing times. Users must present their passport and a QR code containing immigration and customs declaration details registered in advance on the government’s Visit Japan Web platform.
Foreign passport holders visiting Japan will have their faces photographed and fingerprints taken, and their documents inspected by immigration officials. Japanese citizens will have their photo taken before being allowed to proceed. Currently, Japanese and foreign visitors must provide information separately to immigration and customs. However, an immigration agency official stated that foreign nationals with medium- to long-term residency in Japan will not be eligible to use the kiosks, as the units cannot check data related to embarkation and disembarkation cards required for foreign residents travelling to and from Japan.
The kiosks are being rolled out following a trial run at Haneda Airport. Government agencies plan to expand the system to all Japanese airports with international flights. The new technology will be introduced at both terminals of Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture next Tuesday. At Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, Terminals 2 and 3 will begin using the gates next Tuesday and April 11, respectively. At Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture, Terminal 3 will implement the system from April 7.