Society | Apr 20

New baggage-screening system debuts at Haneda

A new baggage-screening system that is better at detecting bombs has started operation at Haneda airport in Tokyo.

The system is a part of efforts to beef up Japan's counter-terrorism capabilities ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

The system installed at the airport's international terminal employs computed tomography, which is widely used in medical imaging.

It enables inspectors to view baggage from various angles on a screen.

Explosives are displayed in red to make it easier for operators to spot them.

The new system is expected to allow airport officials to spend less time opening up luggage for inspection.

Also installed in the baggage inspection area is a so-called "smart lane," which allows passengers who are ready for inspection to move ahead of others who are not.

The transport ministry aims to introduce similar systems to other airports across the country by 2020.

A senior ministry official said the ministry wants to make the screening process more stringent and smoother in the run-up to the 2020 Games.

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