Identification process when entering and leaving Tokyo airports
When I arrive by plane at one of the Tokyo airports, what is the process of going through the border control?
Is it a standard one, as I have experienced it at other airports, meaning: Arrive at the border control counter, they look at my passport, take a my fingerprints+photo, maybe ask 1-2 questions and then I'm off? What is the likelihood that they can speak English to ask me stuff? I don't know any Japanese.
Or are there any out-of-the-ordinary things or questions that differ from other airports?
(Notice: I'm from the EU, and don't require a visa in advance to visit Japan. I also only flew domestically inside the EU so far, so I don't have experience with such processes and habits outside the EU.)
When I leave again Japan, do they take my fingerprints again, to make sure I have left? (My passport is non-biometric, so Japan border control won't be able as match the fingerprints they take from me with the fingerprints in my passport, to make sure it's me - which is, as I understand, the sole "official" reason fingerprints are stored in the passport. Since in my emergency passport there are no fingerprints stored, this is why, for purely logical reasons, it would make sense to fingerprint me again when I leave, to match them against the fingerprints when I entered, to make sure it is me who has left.)
Best Answer
I did this earlier this month, from Tokyo Narita. Also did it 3 years ago (Haneda).
Entry - fill out a form, guy looks at it, passport, barely said anything. Fingerprints and photograph taken. Instructions given to me in English.
Exit - even faster, no fingerprints or photograph.
The only time this changed was coming into Haneda, where I declared my heart medication, only to be taken aside and put in a room without much explanation. I was asked to wait (in English). 20 min later a different guy came in and said I was free to go. Never explained what the delay or room was for.
Regardless, if there's any extra questions, the Japanese are very polite and well aware that their language is not known by many, and will make sure you are understanding them. If things do get tricky (if for some awful reason you've done something wrong and are, I dunno, arrested) you can always request an interpreter if you feel their English isn't clear enough (or other language that you're fluent in).
Pictures about "Identification process when entering and leaving Tokyo airports"
Do I need a PCR test to leave Japan?
At present, you may be required to present a negative PCR test certificate upon entering any country or region due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This page provides information on medical facilities offering PCR tests for customers traveling internationally from or to Japan.Do I need a Covid test to fly Japan Airlines?
Obtain a COVID-19 negative test certificate (collection method must be specified). This is required for all people entering Japan. All passengers entering Japan from overseas are required to submit a certificate proving a negative test result for COVID-19 that was conducted within 72 hours prior to departure for Japan.What kind of Covid test is required to enter Japan?
Currently, all those who enter, re-enter or return to Japan (including Japanese nationals) are requested to submit a certificate of negative test result of pre-entry COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to departing from the country/region where travelers stay when entering Japan. Please use following formats.What documents do I need to travel to Tokyo?
You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan. You cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry.Narita International Airport, Tokyo - Japan (Arrival Procedures)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Natsuko Aoyama, Oleksandr Pidvalnyi, Gustavo Fring, Nihongraphy