The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition will introduce NEC Corporation’s (hereinafter referred to as “NEC”) face recognition system*1 for shop payment and admission management at the Expo site to enhance the convenience and safety of visitors.
This system will provide one of the largest face recognition payment systems in Japan at the Expo site and will prevent identity fraud by performing additional face recognition at the entrance gates.
Through this service, we aim to make the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan a testing ground for a cashless society and ensure smooth and comfortable Expo site management. We will also create a variety of ways for EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet users to enjoy the Expo and will generate enthusiasm for the Expo in various ways before it opens, encouraging them to participate in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
At the Expo site, in addition to Season Pass and Summer Pass*2 ticket holders, we will provide payment services using face recognition at shops with payment terminals*4 for those who use “MYAKU-PE!”*3 electronic money on the EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet app, regardless of admission ticket type. By registering their facial information and payment method in advance, users can make hands-free payments without using a smartphone or card, simply by going through face recognition at participating shops. “MYAKU-PE!” or a credit card*5 can be selected as the payment method. At the Expo site, we plan to implement cashless payment with approximately 1,000 payment terminals, making it the largest example in Japan*6 of a payment system in which electronic money and face recognition are linked.
The face recognition admission management system is designed for ticket holders with multiple-entry passes (Season Passes and Summer Passes). Face recognition systems will be installed at 51 admission gates of the entrances to the Expo site to prevent identity fraud by lending and borrowing tickets.
When a person with a valid pass enters the Expo site, they hold up the QR code on the ticket over the gate and undergo additional face recognition using a camera installed at the gate (additional authentication). The number of registered persons is expected to reach 1.2 million IDs, which would make this the largest scale of face recognition provided by NEC in Japan. In doing so, we aim to create a system that allows visitors to enter smoothly and safely.
Season Pass and Summer Pass ticket holders will be able to use both on-site payment and admission services with a single face registration*7, thus enjoying a comfortable and convenient experience at the Expo site.
*1: An authentication system that uses an individual’s facial features and enables payment authentication by simply placing one’s face up to the camera in a safe and quick manner. It can be used by users who have agreed and registered to use their biometric information. Personal information such as registered facial images is securely stored within the platform in Japan, and the personal information will not be used for any other purpose without the user’s consent.
*2: The Season Pass is a ticket that allows unlimited admission during the Expo from the opening day to 3 October, 2025, from 11:00 every day. The Summer Pass is a ticket that is valid from 19 July to 31 August, 2025 from 11:00 onwards every day, and can be used as many times as desired during the Expo. For more information on admission ticket types, please see the link below:
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/tickets-index/price/
*3: “EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet” is a service that provides Web2 and Web3 domains in one application as a tool for individuals to experience and participate in the Expo’s themes of “digital” and “action for the future”. “MYAKU-PE!” is one of the features provided within the EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet and is an electronic money payment service that can be used both inside and outside the Expo site.
*4: The “Stera terminals” provided by the SMBC Group are scheduled to be used as the payment terminals at the Expo site. These are stationary, all-in-one payment terminals that can support various payment methods using a single terminal.
*5: VISA and Mastercard credit cards can be registered.
*6: According to NEC research at the time of the announcement, based on the number of face registrations and the number of shops using face recognition payment during the implementation and operation stages.
*7: Season Pass and Summer Pass ticket holders are required to register their faces after purchasing the ticket. Face registration will be available around January 2025. Information will be provided on the official website in the future. The use of face recognition payment is optional and can only be registered by agreeing to the terms and conditions of use for payment at the Expo site.
(Reference)
The following websites have been set up to introduce the use of the EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet and other information. Please see the information below.
▽App download links
<App Store URL>
https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id6450660947
<Google Play URL>
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.hashport.hashwallet
▽Introduction of business collaboration services
https://expo2025-wallet.com/en
▽Introduction of financial collaboration services
【①MYAKU-PE! (electronic money), ②MYAKU-PO! (points),③MYAKU-N! (EXPO2025 Digital Wallet NFT Site Expo Unique NFT)】
https://www.expo2025-dwfs.jp/en/
▽Future of the EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet
The EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet service is scheduled to be upgraded in July of this year. MYAKU-PE! (electronic money), MYAKU-PO! (points), MYAKU-N! (EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet NFT Site Expo’s Unique NFT) and other financial collaboration services will be newly launched. MYAKU-PE!, MYAKU-PO! A new MYAKU-MYAKU Rewards Programme will also be launched, which offers rewards to users based on their usage of digital wallets such as MYAKU-PE! and MYAKU-PO!
Enquiries
Global Communication Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Email: globalpr@expo2025.or.jp