Tourists in Japan to use fingerprints as 'currency' instead of cash

Tourists visiting Japan won't need to change their money up as the country plans to introduce fingerprint currency.

Set to be tested this summer, visitors will have their identities verified, and then be able to buy things from shops with a flash of their finger when their card details have been processed.

The Japanese government is introducing the project in bid to encourage visitors from abroad in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Tourists will be able to opt into the scheme and share their personal information in airports.

Government officials also hope the innovative measure will allay fears over credit and debit card fraud.
Japan News reports that 300 souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels and other establishments have signed up to participate in the experiment.

They are located in areas that are popular among foreign tourists such as Hakone, Kamakura, Yugawara in Kanagawa Prefecture, and Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture.

By 2020, and in time for the Olympic Games, it is expected Tokyo will be fully compliant with the system.
People will simply have to place two fingers on a special machine that will recognize the owner and the relevant personal details.

It is also hoped the system could replace the need to present a passport when checking in at hotels.
As well as make the tourism process more streamlined, the data received will be used to help Japanese ministers understand spending habits and locations when visitors arrive.

The Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture already allows visitors to pay for goods at a number of attractions and restaurants.

And Tokyo-based Aeon Bank is set to finalize their system whereby people will be able to withdraw cash with a fingerprint. 

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