Can't agree that it's typically more efficient.

Now at some convenience stores, instead of paying the clerk, you have to tell the check-out screen how you're paying, and if it's cash, when you're done.

And at Sapporo CTS, the boarding pass scanner was JUST BEFORE the metal detector. What a horrible design. And let's not forget that yellow piece of paper that says your boarding group number -- as if it weren't clear enough on the boarding pass -- and then the subsequent pink chit that also serves no purpose.

Changing money was always a pill, having to fill out a form and show the ID, and let's not forget the honorifics that make a 5-second thought take 2-minutes;)

Efficient in transportation, absolutely. Efficient when paper is involved, not in the least.

MySOS vs VJW
 

Ms747FC and I are traveling to Japan in February. Prior to VJW, we registered on MySOS, which shows a bllue screen and that all quarantine procedures has completed. United Airlines information page says I need the VJW. We will be flying on ANA metal. Do I really need to register with VJW, or will our MySOS info allow us to board and get through immigration>
Thanks!

To "fast track" an arrival in Feb. you need to register with VJW.
MHLW (Ministry of Health Labour Welfare) advises that the transition period from MySoS to VJW ends on Jan 13.
https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/faq/fasttrack-en.html

Multiple Trips
 

Thanks to all the posters here, I've learned a lot and just finished registering for our next Japan trip. One question: We have a second trip coming two months after the first--Is there a downside to register the second trip now and should I wait until the first trip is completed?

Many thanks.

I didn't have any issues registering two trips at the same time about 2 months out from the first one and 2.5 from the second.

Just arrived in Japan at HND and with my blue VJW screen, I got ushered strait to immigration, didn’t talk to anyone. Extremely fast process.

If you have a yellow screen that will usher you to a table with people who will check your info.

Only one person for immigration though this early. Taking forever to get my passport checked.

I was about 45 minutes on Christmas Eve plane to train at HND. All of it was walking from Gate 142 and waiting for my bag to come out on the belt.
The Quarantine QR code wasn't scanned as I got off the plane, just checked to see it was Blue, then straight to Immigration.
Immigration was about 2 minutes, mostly waiting for the printer for a new stamp, no lines at all.
Took Delta about 25 minutes to get my bag out, they sent down a bunch of non-Priority bags as part of the mix on a completely full flight from LAX.
Customs had both of their QR sections open and I barely even stopped when they checked to make sure I'd done the kiosk and sent me through.
The Entry processes worked well now that they've seemed to work out most of the kinks on the GOJ side of things.
Of course YMMV.

Data point: I submitted my info and vaccine card past the end of the working day in Tokyo. It was approved at 8:35 am Tokyo time next morning. Much faster than I thought it would be.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fa5d8ec241.jpg
does anyone know what this red message mean? Do I have 29 hours to land or...?

Perhaps you entered information that you will arrive in Japan in 29 hours? If so, your application will be prioritized for review, but if it is not completed when you reach Japan, you will need to go through the process at the airport. Make sure to have all your documentation with you.

You might be getting because the app thinks you missed something. My first pass with it I didn't correctly fill out the postal code of where I was staying and caught it the next morning before the deadline. quick correction and it came back Blue in about 30 minutes. Second time I got the same message but it up cleared the next morning with no change from my end. It might just be an issue with the various apps not always talking to each other.

Anyone used the MySOS app since the VJW became active? Experience on arrival?

I'm getting a similar red text, but I submitted everything weeks ago and it was approved then. It actually says "Review completed" and it has a blue banner.

My Disembarkation Card QR form has a yellow banner, and Customs Declaration QR code has a teal/blue banner. I did just fill this out in preparation for the flight tomorrow though.

I have all my docs with me so I'm not overly concerned but this isn't smooth by any means. I transited HND a few days ago and yes, there were about 10 people chattering at you about visit Japan web, etc. I had to keep showing multiple people my ongoing boarding pass before I cleared the gauntlet.

Right now you've got all of the right colors to move through the fast track lines.
Just remember to do the Customs machine by the baggage belts before you head to the e-gates.

That message will stay there as a reminder -- even when you get to zero hours left. If you have the review completed and a blue colored first page you are good to go. They probably should update the app to remove this reminder once the documentation has been reviewed and approved.