Originally Posted by
hkhighflyer
Does anyone have problems using the automated passport gates when leaving Japan?
I have a British passport but whenever I use the automated passport gates leaving any airports in Japan (so far I’ve tried HND, NRT, KIX and CTS), my passport does not work with these automated machines and then I get redirected to the manual line. This is incredibly frustrating as the manual lines can be long (I’ve seen only one counter is opened and usually families with children occupy the entire queue). I tried asking the officer in CTS when I got redirected to her to be “stamped” instead, but she didn’t understand English and basically ignored me…
I wonder if anyone else has a similar problem and how did you resolve this (if it’s even possible)?
Assuming that your passport is biometric -- and is not a BNO passport -- the only thing I can imagine is that the system is not matching your passport photo to your face when you are leaving -- does it tell you to look at the screen so they can photograph you? Or does it not even get to that point...