Japan creates Biometric Payment System for travelers with eye towards 2020 Olympics

Japan has created a biometric – fingerprint authenticated – payment system for tourists, partly in preparation for the large increase in visitors expected for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Starting in July, tourists have been able to register their credit card information and fingerprint scans in airports and convenient public locations. This system allows shoppers and diners to pay for good and services quickly and easily.

With the new biometric payment system, travelers make payments with two fingerprints placed on a reading device. Any taxes are automatically deducted. The data will help Japan develop “effective tourism management policies.” Japan is hoping to see the rate of tourism grow to an expected 40 million annual visitors in 2020 with the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

The marketing data will be collected and anonymously saved and analyzed by a “government-led consultative body.”

Privacy and security concerns are always important. Currently participation in the system in not required. For additional security, the system may be refined to include a password as well as fingerprints.


Tourists in Japan to use fingerprints as 'currency' instead of cash

Danielle Demetriou for The Telegraph, Tokyo, April 11, 2016

Japan spearheads biometric payment system to spur inbound tourism

Global Blue Corporate online article Friday, 13 May, 2016