Marking the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations, the South Korean and Japanese governments began operating dedicated immigration lanes for each other’s nationals throughout June. On the first day of the initiative, June 1, a Korean tourist heads toward the Korea-only immigration lane at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. (Yonhap)
Tokyo, June 1 (Korea Bizwire) – In a move to commemorate the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, the two countries began operating dedicated immigration lanes for each other’s nationals at four major airports on June 1.
The pilot program, running through the end of June, is available at Gimpo and Gimhae airports in Korea and Haneda and Fukuoka airports in Japan. The lanes are reserved for short-term visitors, such as tourists, who have traveled to the host country within the past year and have completed pre-arrival customs and immigration declarations.
To use the fast-track lanes, travelers must arrive between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and must fly with one of four designated carriers—Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines, or All Nippon Airways—on routes between Gimpo and Haneda.
At Haneda Airport, six of 16 immigration booths and 16 of 43 self-service kiosks have been set aside exclusively for Korean nationals. These lanes are clearly marked with signs celebrating the bilateral milestone, including a joint slogan in Japanese that reads, “Hand in Hand Toward a Better Future.”
Korean travelers using the priority lanes on opening day praised the shorter wait times. “In the past, I had to wait over an hour to enter Japan. Today, it was immediate,” said Park No-eun, a university student arriving at Haneda.
Roughly 80 Korean nationals used the new lanes at Haneda on the first day. Many expressed hope that the program would be extended permanently, citing convenience and enhanced goodwill between the nations.
“This should become permanent,” said one Korean traveler in his 50s. “It reflects improved Korea-Japan relations.”
A Haneda immigration official noted the initiative was designed to celebrate the 60-year anniversary and “strengthen bilateral friendship.” The two governments are also reportedly exploring the introduction of a pre-clearance system, allowing travelers to complete immigration procedures before departure.
As of April 2025, over 3.22 million South Koreans had visited Japan this year, compared to 1.04 million Japanese visitors to Korea.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
