Japan is always one step ahead of the world in implementing new discoveries and ideas in their society. Now the Ministry of Finance has approved cigarette vending machines that use face recognition technology to determine whether the purchaser is a minor or not. It is a breakthrough in cigarette vending machine history of Japan.
The vending machines, which determine a person's approximate age from the size of their eyes and mouth and their bone structure, were developed by Kyoto Prefecture company Fujitaka Co., a major producer of vending machines.
Vending machines designed to prevent minors from purchasing cigarettes were rolled out across Japan in July, but the taspo cards that are used as age identification have yet to become widespread.
With face-recognition technology, users will be able to purchase cigarettes without a taspo card. There are already 5,000 such machines in operation across Japan.
Taspo cards had designed these face recognition system. This is to prevent minors from buying cigarettes at vending machines went into full effect in Tokyo, Okinawa and seven other prefectures on Tuesday, bringing all of Japan's prefectures into the system. Under the system, people are no longer able to buy cigarettes from vending machines without taspo cards.
The taspo system was first introduced in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in March, and gradually spread across the nation. However, since people have to go to the trouble of applying for cards, providing photographs and identification, the system is still largely unused.
The vending machines, which determine a person's approximate age from the size of their eyes and mouth and their bone structure, were developed by Kyoto Prefecture company Fujitaka Co., a major producer of vending machines.
Vending machines designed to prevent minors from purchasing cigarettes were rolled out across Japan in July, but the taspo cards that are used as age identification have yet to become widespread.
With face-recognition technology, users will be able to purchase cigarettes without a taspo card. There are already 5,000 such machines in operation across Japan.
Taspo cards had designed these face recognition system. This is to prevent minors from buying cigarettes at vending machines went into full effect in Tokyo, Okinawa and seven other prefectures on Tuesday, bringing all of Japan's prefectures into the system. Under the system, people are no longer able to buy cigarettes from vending machines without taspo cards.
The taspo system was first introduced in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in March, and gradually spread across the nation. However, since people have to go to the trouble of applying for cards, providing photographs and identification, the system is still largely unused.
