Narita Airport Adds Automated Gates at Immigration

Narita, Chiba Pref., June 23 (Jiji Press)--Narita International Airport near Tokyo has added automated gates at the immigration control that allows preregistered travelers to go through examinations quickly. On Monday, the airport serving as a key gateway to the Japanese capital began operating the newly added automated gates, now allowing those visiting the airport for shopping, seeing people off and other purposes to preregister as users of the gates. The Narita Airport District Immigration Office at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau distributed leaflets to ask airport visitors to preregister. Four international airports in Japan, also including Haneda, Chubu and Kansai airports, have the automated gate system. To go through the gates, users only have to get their passports and fingerprints scanned. The process usually takes less than 20 seconds. Those who register can use the gates at any of the four airports. Their registrations remain valid until the day before their passports expire. At the Narita airport, 36,500 people registered as automated gate users in 2012. The number increased to 50,000 in 2013. Previously, the airport had the automated gates only inside the area limited to travelers who have gone through security checks. The newly added gates are in areas where shoppers and other visitors can enter. Registrations are accepted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day of the year. END