Japanese facial recognition system tightens concert security

Record ID: 877406

  • Title: Japanese facial recognition system tightens concert security
  • Date: 31st May 2017
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) EXECUTIVE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TAPIRS CO., TAKAAKI TOMISAWA, SAYING: "In order to prevent Manchester's tragedy from occurring again, I think the facial recognition system enables us to ensure who are gathering at a venue, whether people there are not dangerous, and to hold further entertaining concerts."
  • Embargoed: 14th June 2017 13:26
  • Keywords: facial recognition venue security concert event
  • Location: MAKUHARI AND FUKUOKA, JAPAN
  • City: MAKUHARI AND FUKUOKA, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Reuters ID: LVA0076J65EU3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A facial recognition system could enhance security and ID checks at gigs, concerts and live events according to its Japanese developers.
    The system, developed by TAPIRS Co., checks the identity of concert-goers by scanning everyone's face as they enter a venue and comparing it with a photograph uploaded when they bought the ticket.
    "The facial recognition system identifies a person by checking two facial photos, one you registered in advance when purchasing a ticket and the other to be filmed when you enter a concert," said Takaaki Tomisawa, TAPIRS Co.'s Executive managing director.
    Tomisawa said the system is designed not only to prevent concerts tickets from being resold at inflated prices but also reduce the wait time for identification checks and ensure safety and security at a concert or any event where tens of thousands of people are gathered.
    "By controlling all information, who came in and went out when, we can ensure what kind of people are gathering at a concert or event venue and whether there is any suspicious person or not. So we can provide safety and security of the venue, where people can enjoy entertainment," Tomisawa said at the Live Entertainment Expo in Makuhari on Wednesday (May 31).
    The system has been used at concerts in Japan since 2014, reducing the time it takes to confirm an ID by as much as thirty percent, according to the company.
    Twenty-two people died when a suicide bomber targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK, on May 22.
    Although the bomb exploded outside the venue's main arena, Tomisawa said he hopes their facial recognition system would be able to help prevent such attacks.
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