Facial recognition system in Japan to screen foreign visitors

TOKYO - The Japanese Justice Ministry plans to expand the use of a facial recognition system at Haneda Airport to four other airports.

The system, which currently screens the faces of Japanese nationals returning home, will also be used for foreigners leaving Japan from fiscal 2019. It allows a single immigration officer to oversee multiple stations, freeing other officers to screen foreigners for entry and deal with suspicious persons.

The ministry hopes through the system to strengthen anti-terrorism measures for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.