Trusted traveler program proposed
 

Japanese Ministry of Justice consultants proposed trusted traveler program for foreigners coming to Japan.

The Japanese article by Tokyo Shimbun says it will take long time to implement it as it has to be consistent with foreign programs.
http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/2013052001001635.html

Is this for security (like the USA's TSA PreCheck program) or immigration and customs (like the USA's Global Entry, which is run by CBP)? Japan already participates in APEC, right? How would it relate to that? Or would it be bilateral, like the USA/Canada NEXUS?

Tokyo Shimbun reports the target includes foreign business persons and pleasure travelers. Yomiuri reports automated immigration gates installation will be accelerated. The number is now 24 and will be 40 next year.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/ne...htm?from=ylist

It would be for immigration as that is the only thing under the Justice Ministry's control (customs is a different ministry and security is private).

The Sankei version of the article explains that you would first have to come to Japan and register for the system at an airport here, after which you would be clear to use (what appear to be) the existing automated gates, currently only available to Japanese citizens and residents. However the system would be initially limited to business travelers, so you technically couldn't use it as a tourist or other frequent visitor.

I hope they implement this. I would benefit from this during the occasional times the immigration queue is packed.

How would they know if you're actually there on business? Doesn't seem to matter what box is checked on the form (tourist/business), the immigration guys (in my experience) never ask questions.

I guess if the gate spit out some sort of receipt, the guys in the customs/baggage area could do the questioning.

That Sankei article is incorrect -- non-Japanese residents registered for the automated gate program must still be manually approved by an immigration agent. Therefore, it would be a vast improvement if they simply eliminated the requirement to submit the immigration form and made the process truly automated. As with many things in Japan, I expect any movement towards this to be met with strong resistance from anti-immigration conservatives.

Edit: Sorry, the Sankei article was describing the future "Trusted Traveler" system. However, if it resembles the current system, it will still be inadequate.

I was told a couple of years ago by an immigration officer that this was the plan. They all thought the current system was crap.... the equipment frequently didn't work, the processing time was not noticeably shorter, and it hadn't eliminated the paperwork. The only advantage was shorter lines because not many people used the system.

Who knows? Maybe they're working on it.

Indeed, any form of expedited immigration I'd gladly pay for. Although my last few recent visits have yielded 0-3 minute waits, so I cannot complain. Arriving on Japan based carriers seems to help significantly, as does traveling in F/C. It's a real bear though when you arrive right after a UA 747 or 777 fully loaded and backed up. Fortunately that hasn't happened to me lately.

This is all at NRT. How is HND generally? I've rarely flown into HND and don't have many recent datapoints, but will be flying in several times in June and am thus curious.

The Sankei article says nothing about the current system. It simply says that under this new system there will be no need to interview with an immigration officer.

So what would happen with regard to the entry sticker?

And I hope they tie up with Global Entry.

The last time I came back to Japan (at KIX, from Korea) there were a few people in each of the lines - it literally took me a minute to go through.

Compare that to Korea, where I was 4th in line and it still took 30 minutes (guess the immigration people using their cell phones didn't help).

I'd love to see this, not because I think it would significantly speed things up, but mainly because it would be a symbolic step in the right direction towards more open borders and a broader immigration reform. The Abe administration seems to be headed cautiously in this direction, and while I'm certainly not a fan of all is policies, he's done a lot of good in a very short time and I fully support his rumblings about immigration reform. ^

For what it's worth, I've not waited for more than five minutes at immigration at KIX, NRT, or HND in the past year. Arriving at KIX off the NH flights to PVG, I'm regularly on the train in less than 10 minutes after deplaning. Automated processing or not, I'd just be happy if they got rid of those freaking departure/landing cards for residents... they already have all my info on my 在留カード that I have to show, what's the point?!?

In the summer I generally arrive from Europe rather than the US and the NRT immigration is always a breeze in the morning. It took me 15 min from gate 46 (as far away as you can get) official arrival time to the limo bus counter last week. I remember looking up and seeing 37 on the clock when I was maybe half way along the long walk and it was 45 when I exited.

HND should be easy but you can catch the tail end of another flight, although the probability should be lower. I have only done it twice. Once there was nobody there. The other time I caught the tail end of a Delta or AA flight and there were ~30 people in the visitor line and fewer inspectors so it looked like it was moving slower than NRT. I went to a resident's agent and processed there instead.

You're right -- I've edited my comment. However, one wonders why didn't they consider this kind of system when they introduced the automatic gates in 2007.

I second this -- and it applies at both GMP and ICN. The (many) Korean/residents lines always fly, while the (few) foreigners lines take forever. I know Korea has a similar trusted traveler program, but the registration fee put me off.