In a recent update, Japan has come up with a new passport design which aims at improving security and preventing forgery. The new passports will be made available from 24 March, 2024. It will feature a plastic photo page that will have an embedded chip, making it more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. This updated design has several advanced features to add to its security.

The beautiful pattern
The photo page of the new passport includes a decorative sakura (cherry blossom) pattern. It becomes visible when the passport is tilted. In addition to this, the passport features a crane watermark, a symbol of Japan, adding another layer of authenticity. These design elements are intended to make the passport harder to forge and easier to authenticate by authorities.

The Foreign Ministry highlighted that these changes are part of Japan’s ongoing efforts to modernize and protect the integrity of its official documents. The process for obtaining the new passport will take slightly longer than before, as the passports are now being produced by the National Printing Bureau, which is also responsible for printing Japan’s banknotes.

This shift means that the production time will be extended to about two weeks, compared to the current one-week processing time. Currently, passport photo pages are printed at municipal government offices and Japanese diplomatic missions abroad, which allows for quicker turnaround times.

Advanced security

The new design reflects Japan’s commitment to addressing the increasing sophistication of passport forgeries worldwide. By incorporating advanced security features like the plastic photo page and embedded chip, the country aims to make it more difficult for counterfeit passports to pass undetected. The embedded chip also enhances the digital security of the passport, further protecting travelers from identity theft and fraud.

While the longer processing time may be an inconvenience for some, the added security measures are expected to provide peace of mind for travelers and reduce the risk of passport-related crimes.

The government has assured that the new passports will be available to applicants starting in late March, and they will gradually replace the current design as the new system is rolled out. These efforts demonstrate Japan’s proactive approach to combating global passport forgeries and ensuring the safety of its citizens when traveling abroad.

Originally published at TIMESOFINDIA