Osaka Expo to Support Biometric Payments, Care of NEC

The 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo will adopt a facial recognition system for payments and visitor access management, marking one of Japan’s largest implementations of this technology.

NEC developed the system, which aims to promote a cashless society in Japan. Attendees of the event will use Myaku-pe!, the Expo’s mobile payment system, requiring prior registration of biometric information.

The facial recognition payment system will be used across all stores at the Expo, except for food trucks and other mobile vendors, which will not accept cash but will allow credit card payments. Entry tickets will be delivered as QR codes on electronic devices, while holders of season and summer passes will undergo additional facial recognition checks. The measure is expected to streamline entry processes, reduce staffing needs, and prevent the sharing of multi-day passes.

NEC has been working on implementing face-based payment systems in Japan for almost a decade now. In 2016, the company partnered with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), and Sumitomo Mitsui Card to trial a contactless payment system based on facial recognition for customers of Sumitomo bank.

The Expo organizers view this event as a significant step towards integrating advanced biometric technologies into everyday transactions and improving security and efficiency at large-scale events.

The 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, officially known as Expo 2025, is a World Expo that will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025. This international event will bring together countries and organizations from around the globe to showcase innovations and solutions under the theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

Source: The Asahi Shimbun

—

May 24, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis