Tourism Narita, Haneda, Kansai airports ease entry procedures

Japan is set to simplify entry procedures for foreign visitors at Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo and Kansai Airport in Osaka to accommodate the growing number of international tourists. The changes, expected to be implemented before the end of March, aim to streamline the current process, which requires travellers to have their photographs taken and present their passports at separate checkpoints. By integrating these two steps for those who register online in advance, the government hopes to reduce waiting times significantly. A pilot program at Haneda Airport involving approximately 13,000 passengers earlier this year demonstrated a potential reduction of about two minutes in arrival procedures. This positive result has encouraged the government to expand the system to other major airports in Japan.