On Friday (August 4, 2023), Japan suspended the registration and card issuance for its Trusted Traveler Program with no advance discover however resumed the service at this time (August 7, 2023).
Japan launched a Trusted Journey Program (TTP) in 2017 with very scarce details about its eligibility necessities (learn extra right here, right here, and right here).
You possibly can entry Japan’s web page for TTP right here.
This system was relaunched with little fanfare in early 2023, and the eligibility standards have been considerably expanded. Sebastian and I wrote about our utility experiences (learn extra right here and right here).
Discover on TTP’s web site (Google Translate):
* TTP has been quickly suspended since August 4, 2023, however is now out there for all customers. (As of August 7, 2023)
TTP Utility Points:
The problem with this TTP program has been the somewhat lengthy inspection progress when you fill out the required info and add paperwork on the web site (six weeks, in my case).
The time it takes on the airport to examine the paperwork, gather the income stamps, learn the fingerprints, and problem the cardboard on the airport (mine took 50 minutes). (You are able to do this at choose immigration places of work too, however they could be much more congested.)
Japan Trusted Traveler Program Registration Experiences in 2023:
Expertise Report: Japan’s Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) Is Now Open For New Functions & Entry Through Automated Gates
Japan’s Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) Utility Expertise
Conclusion
Unsure why Japan suspended this system for the weekend with no discover that they’re bringing it again three days later. Those who had deliberate to gather their TTP card on the airport whereas exiting the nation couldn’t.
As I’ve mentioned earlier than, they need to restructure this complete utility course of as a result of the processing time when you add the paperwork on the web site is weeks, and the ultimate inspection and card issuance takes vital time on the airport.
All the program has been underneath the desk and solely worthwhile as a result of pink tape for these visiting the nation a number of occasions a yr and need to be certain that their arrival expertise is easy.
I’m again in Japan this autumn and blissful to see how these automated gates work with the issued TTP card.
