Japan's Immigration Services Agency and the Customs Bureau of the Ministry of Finance began full operation on September 24, 2026 of "joint kiosks" at Narita Airport's Terminals 1 and 2, allowing travelers to complete immigration inspection and customs declaration procedures in a single terminal operation. A total of 177 units were installed across the two terminals.
Functions of the Joint Kiosk
- Travelers place their passport on the terminal and use camera-based facial recognition to complete both immigration inspection and customs declaration in one step
- A fraud-detection feature identifies cases where a person other than the one operating the terminal presents a fingerprint
- The kiosks use a universal design usable by both wheelchair users and other travelers without distinction
- On-screen instructions and animations guide users through each step
Background and Prior Installations at Other Airports
The joint kiosk is an electronic system jointly operated by the Immigration Services Agency and Customs. Since April 2025, it has been installed in stages at Haneda Airport (Terminals 2 and 3), Narita Airport Terminal 3, Kansai Airport, and Fukuoka Airport, with the rollout to Narita's Terminals 1 and 2 following this sequence. The initiative is positioned as part of the government's effort to streamline entry and re-entry procedures in support of its goal of 60 million inbound foreign visitors by 2030.
Impact for Travelers
Immigration inspection and customs declaration previously had to be completed as separate procedures. With the joint kiosks, both can now be processed together in a single terminal operation. Pre-registering information through "Visit Japan Web" can also make the kiosk procedure smoother.
Summary
- The Immigration Services Agency and Customs began full operation of joint kiosks at Narita Airport Terminals 1 and 2 on September 24, 2026
- A total of 177 units were installed, combining immigration inspection and customs declaration into a single terminal operation
- The kiosks feature facial recognition, fingerprint-spoofing detection, and a wheelchair-accessible universal design
- This follows the phased rollout at Haneda, Narita Terminal 3, Kansai, and Fukuoka airports since April 2025
Entry and re-entry procedures may continue to be revised going forward, so travelers are advised to check the latest operational status before departure. For questions about residence status procedures, consult Sakura Central Legal Office (MOJ-certified application agent).