TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei International Airport Office Director Cheng Chien-chung (鄭堅中) said Tuesday that Songshan Airport has corrected an unfriendly Japanese translation in its facial recognition system after complaints.
CNA reported that a Japanese traveler shared on social media that the system used a phrase equivalent to “I dare you to look up” in a provocative tone. The message appeared on a facial recognition machine guiding passengers during identity checks.
The traveler said a more appropriate version would be a polite phrase such as “please look up,” which is standard in Japanese service settings. Other users agreed and said the issue may have come from a direct translation of English without adjusting for tone and cultural norms, per Liberty Times.
The post quickly drew attention from Taiwanese and Japanese users online. Many said the wording sounded like an order rather than a service instruction and could confuse or discomfort travelers, per Yahoo News.
Airport officials responded and said the translation has already been corrected. They added that the updated wording now uses a more polite and appropriate tone for international passengers.
The facial recognition system is part of the airport’s One ID service, designed to speed up passenger processing. After registering their facial data at check-in, travelers can pass through baggage drop, security, and boarding without repeatedly showing documents.
Officials said the system can reduce waiting times by about 30% and improve efficiency. They added that personal data is used only during the travel process and is automatically deleted within 24 hours after departure.
