The justice ministry said Monday it has expanded the number of nations eligible for automated immigration gates, known as the Smart Entry Service, to 42 from 18, to make it easier for visitors to enter the country. The 24 newly added nations are 19 European Union member states, including Spain, Sweden, Austria and Poland, as well as Canada and four non-EU members of the Schengen Area, a European zone of free movement with no internal border controls — Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Iceland. With this measure, the ministry aims to streamline the entry process and create a more user-friendly immigration system. It also expects to boost domestic tourism and the local economy by attracting more foreign visitors.
