Japan's first fast-lane immigration service will debut this week at major international airports near Tokyo and Osaka to speed up the processing of foreign visitors, it was learned Monday.
Narita Airport and Kansai International Airport will start the service on Wednesday to expedite the entry of conference-goers and VIPs, who will be allowed to enter fast lanes by showing a coupon provided in advance by airlines, at the entrance to immigration.
Narita Airport gave reporters a preview of the facility Monday ahead of its debut.
"We want to enhance the value of Narita Airport by reducing the waiting time," said an official from the airport's parent, Narita International Airport Corp.
The fast lanes will be available at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with each flight expected to bring in about five people who can use them.
The idea for the new service was initiated by government agencies including the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry to turn Japan into a more tourism-oriented country, the company said.
London's Heathrow Airport and Singapore's Changi Airport already have fast-lane immigration services, it said.