Detailed airport guideReason for conducting security screening
Airlines conduct security screening in order to prevent hijacking, terrorism and other similar events. This article explains the necessity of security screening, and obligations and penalties under law. Information as of September 2022 is posted here.
1.Purpose of security screening
Airlines conduct security screening in order to provide safe and comfortable air travel to passengers. Security screening is necessary for ensuring that no dangerous goods, weapons, explosives, etc. are brought into an aircraft. All passengers are obliged to undergo security screening
Narita Airport implements aviation security measures and maintains safety in cooperation with airlines. Security screening is required under the Civil Aeronautics Act. Passengers are requested to undergo security screening following the instructions of security personnel and related staff. We ask for your cooperation.
2.Obligations of security screening under law
Details on security screening obligations
Article 131-2-5, paragraph (4) of the Civil Aeronautics Act provides that no person may board an aircraft or enter a Security Restricted Area unless they undergo security screening.
Security screening is also necessary for checked baggage. Airlines must conduct security screening of baggage before loading it on an aircraft. Narita Airport has technology for conducting security screening automatically to ensure that all checked baggage is properly screened.
Security screening is conducted by airlines under Articles 235-4-9 and 235-4-16 of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act.
(Restriction in Security Restricted Area) Article 131-2-5, paragraph (4) (extract) It is prohibited for any person to enter a Security Restricted Area unless the person has been screened by a person specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism taking into consideration the management and operational situation of the airport, etc. and other circumstances, to confirm that the screened person is not in possession of any item specified by Article 86, paragraph (1) (*1) or any other item specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as an item that needs to be restricted from being brought into a Security Restricted Area(*2) or into an aircraft, in order to prevent aircraft piracy.
(Checked Baggage Screening) Article 131-2-6, paragraph (1) (extract) Air transport companies and parties granted permission under Article 130-2 must not load passenger baggage (excluding personal belongings and other articles carried in an aircraft cabin; referred to below as "checked baggage") onto an aircraft unless the baggage has been screened by a person specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism taking into consideration the management and operational situation of the airport, etc. and other circumstances, to confirm that it does not contain any items referred to in paragraph (4) of the preceding Article (limited to those specified by Order of the Ministry as having explosive or highly combustible nature).
*1 Article 86 of the Civil Aeronautics Act provides as follows: An aircraft must not carry any items of an explosive or highly combustible nature, or any other items which are liable to injure persons or to damage items, as may be specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
*2 A Security Restricted Area is an area of the departure lobby where outbound passport control, duty-free shops, restaurants and shops are located and where departing passengers, having cleared security screening, will stay until they board an aircraft. For security reasons, the airport operator restricts the bringing of weapons and other dangerous goods into this area to ensure the prevention of hijacking, terrorism and other forms of aircraft piracy.
Details on security screening obligations
The Civil Aeronautics Act has been amended as of March 10, 2022, to strengthen and add penal provisions relating to security screening. Under Articles 149-3 and 157-3-3 of the Civil Aeronautics Act, specified penalties may be applied to any of the following acts.
- Carrying a prohibited item on board an aircraft (imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 1,000,000 JPY)
- Entering a Security Restricted Area without undergoing security screening (imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 500,000 JPY)
Provisions concerning instructions of security personnel
The law also provides for the following concerning instructions issued by security personnel when passengers undergo screening. Therefore, instructions issued by an authorized security officer or screening personnel must be followed unless there is a just cause not to do so.
(Measures to Prevent Harmful Acts) Article 131-2-3 (2) When employees of an airport operator, etc. (limited to employees designated by an airport operator, etc. or by a person specified by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, who are engaged in duties relating to the prevention of harmful acts; the same applies in the following paragraph and paragraph (4)) find it necessary in order to correctly implement the measures prescribed in the preceding paragraph, they may instruct passengers and other persons to perform an act that is necessary for the implementation of the measures or cease an act that hinders the implementation of the measures (4) Passengers and other persons must comply with the instructions issued by employees of an airport operator, etc. under the provisions of paragraph (2) except when there is a just cause not to do so.
3.Aviation security
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global rules for civil aviation. Japan joined ICAO in 1953.
ICAO member states must comply with the standards and recommendations set out in the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the 19 Annexes to the Convention. Japan enacted the Civil Aeronautics Act and the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act to comply with ICAO rules.
The National Civil Aviation Security Program sets out security measures in further detail specifically for aviation security to comply with ICAO Annex 17. Based on these rules and program, we draft and implement plans in specific detail for the safety of all passengers.
4.Applicable laws and regulations
Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention)
- ANNEX 9 “Facilitation”
- ANNEX 17 “Security”
- ANNEX 18 “The Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air”
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Dangerous Goods Regulations
Civil Aeronautics Act
- Article 86 (Prohibition for Carriage of Explosives)
- Article 86-2
- Article 100 (License)
- Article 131-2-3 (Measures to Prevent Harmful Acts)
- Article 131-2-6 (Security Screening of Checked Baggage)
- Article 149-3 (Offenses Concerning Taking Explosives on Board Aircraft)
- Article 157-3-3 (Offenses Concerning Prevention of Harmful Acts)
Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act
- Article 235-4-9
- Article 235-4-16
Notice of Establishment of Standards for Carriage of Explosives on Aircraft
- Article 27 (Articles Specified by Notice Referred to in Article 194, paragraph (2), item (iv) of the Regulation)
- Basic Policy for the Prevention of Harmful Acts