Japan's First "Face Recognition" Check-in System Using Individual Number Card: A Landmark Initiative

--Streamlining Golf Course Check-in Processes: GDO Selected for Digital Agency Project--

Golf Digest Online Inc.(Head Office: Shinagawa, Tokyo; President: Nobuya Mike Ishizaka; hereinafter "GDO") has been selected by Japan's Digital Agency to participate in a groundbreaking pilot project utilizing Individual Number Card (My Number Card) for face recognition check-ins at golf courses. This four-month trial, beginning in September, will be conducted at four golf courses nationwide, including GDO Chigasaki Golf Links in Kanagawa Prefecture, operated by GDO.

This initiative marks the first time that the Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) service will be used to verify personal identity in a private-sector service (excluding medical institutions) by matching facial data recorded on the Individual Number Card with facial data captured by on-site terminals. We hope this trial will be recognized as a significant step towards realizing a more convenient society where secure and seamless "face pass" verification becomes widely accessible.

To participate in the trial, users must download the "Pocket Sign" digital ID app (https://pocketsign.co.jp/product/app) on their smartphones and register their Individual Number Card information after agreeing to the terms and conditions. User registration can be completed before or after reserving a round of golf at one of the participating courses. Once registered, users can enjoy quick and easy check-in at the course by simply presenting their digital ID to the dedicated terminals provided by Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd.

While pre-registration is encouraged, users who wish to participate in the trial without pre-registering may do so by informing the staff at check-in and providing their name and other required information.

Furthermore, users aged 70 and older, who are exempt from the golf course usage tax, will no longer need to present additional proof of age, provided they consent to the use of their Individual Number Card for age verification.

Participants who book their round of golf through GDO's reservation service (https://reserve.golfdigest.co.jp/) and take part in the trial may be eligible for special discounts and other benefits. Further details will be announced when the trial begins.

Based on the results of this trial, GDO will explore the possibility of expanding the service to additional golf courses and related facilities, contributing to regional revitalization. Moving forward, GDO remains committed to leveraging technology to enhance the convenience of golfers while driving digital transformation (DX) within the golf industry, with safety and security as our top priorities.

About Golf Digest Online Inc. (GDO)

Golf Digest Online Inc. was founded on the philosophy of "embracing diversity and creating a society where people can enjoy life." Since 2000, GDO has operated the comprehensive golf portal site "GDO," offering a one-stop service for all things golf, including watching, buying, playing, and enjoying the sport. Recently, GDO has been actively pursuing the integration of data and technology into golf through various initiatives, such as 'Toptracer Range' (in Japan),  'GOLFTEC,' and events that promote the diversity of golf, including 'Speed Golf' and 'Snow Golf'. Through these efforts, GDO aims to provide a rich and playful lifestyle through golf.

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