The electromagnetic wave scanner manufactured by U.S.-based aviation supplier L-3 Communications Corp. is designed to generate images of the human body to detect objects hidden under clothing, as well chemicals or other explosive materials that cannot be detected by traditional metal detectors.
Japan’s Ministry of Transport and Tourism has asked passengers to cooperate with the tests.
The ministry plans to test five other types of security devices with different scanning methods during the trial period that will run from July 5 through to Sept. 10.
According to Japan Today, Japan has been considering implementing the technology following the failed terrorist attack on the Northwest jet heading from Amsterdam to Detroit last Christmas Day.
Japan is now the second country in Asia, after South Korea, to test the technology. Several European countries including France, Netherlands, and Britain have also started test programs.
Although declared medically safe for humans, critics have raised concerns over privacy issues since the machines give very detailed images of human bodies.
The ministry says that faces on the screen will be airbrushed out and only officials of the same sex will analyze screening. Personal data collected will also be fully safeguarded, the ministry assured.
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