Tokyo, Dec 15 : Japan’s Digital Agency has said that it will initiate an application software enabling visitors and returnees to go through simpler customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) procedures from next week.
The “Visit Japan Web” service, slated to be launched next Monday, will exempt travelers from submitting CIQ paper documents if they register beforehand on smartphone and other devices, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Japanese government pushed for digitalisation of the procedures in an attempt to help reduce the risk of infection and alleviate burden on officials at airport CIQ facilities which have been affected by a shortage of staff.
Travelers need to register quarantine questionnaires and customs declarations containing their names, addresses, health conditions and other information through the app.Officials at border control will ask the travelers to show their smartphones or other devices to obtain information by scanning a QR code.The new app is expected to shorten the time of entry procedures.
The app will initially be available in English and Japanese, and other languages may be added later.Japan has tightened its border control amid the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, capping the number of daily arrival at 3,500.int/khz/
Japan to launch app for paperless border entry
The app will allow travelers to submit customs declarations and quarantine questions.These documents contain their name, address, and any other pertinent information. Border control officers will request that travelers show their phones or other devices in order to scan a QR code to get information.It is anticipated that the new app will reduce entry times.
Initial availability of the app in English and Japanese will be made available.Later, other languages might be added.
Japan tightened border controls in response to the Omicron version of Covid-19 spreading, limiting daily arrivals at 3500.
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