#Japan #Tokyo #Healthcare Innovation #Canon #Hi-CARA2

Canon Unveils Hi-CARA2: The Next-Generation Face Recognition Card Reader

Canon Marketing Japan, led by President Masachika Adachi, is set to launch the Hi-CARA2, a state-of-the-art face recognition card reader designed for online qualification verification. The product is scheduled to be available for purchase in late April 2026 after receiving certification from the Social Insurance Medical Fee Payment Fund.

This new device is engineered not only for identity verification through My Number Cards but also enables the scanning of My Number Health Insurance Cards via smartphones, in addition to providing a keypad for entering personal identification numbers and a voice guidance feature. This all-in-one functionality addresses new requirements set forth by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, while also maintaining the space-saving design that has been highly praised in medical settings.

Starting from September 2025, My Number Health Insurance Cards will become usable via smartphones, creating a dramatic shift in the reception processes at medical facilities. By December 2025, all existing insurance cards will have expired, with the My Number Health Insurance Card utilization rate projected to reach 63.24%. Consequently, many existing face recognition card readers will be reaching their free warranty period by the end of March 2026, prompting a transition to this next-generation model in accordance with the new requirements.

In response to these changes, medical institutions are facing challenges in accommodating diverse patients within limited reception spaces. The Hi-CARA2 retains the praised "space-saving design" and "detachable operation unit" from previous models while integrating essential new features. It allows for My Number Card verification, smartphone health card scanning, user-friendly keypad operation for the visually impaired, and audio guidance, addressing the significant needs of a diverse patient demographic.

Key Features of Hi-CARA2

Universal Design for Enhanced Usability

The Hi-CARA2 seeks to ensure that all patient demographics can easily navigate its functionalities.

• - Accessibility for Visually Impaired: The device includes a keypad that allows users to input their PINs and a built-in speaker to provide audio guidance for understanding on-screen content.

• - Accommodations for Wheelchair Users and Small Children: Hi-CARA2 inherits the detachable operation unit from its predecessor, allowing flexibility in adjusting the screen angle while keeping the device fixed at the reception counter. Users can also detach the unit for easier operation, making it accessible without depending on counter height.

Space-Saving Design for Integrated Operations

The Hi-CARA2 combines multiple identity verification functions into a compact, all-in-one device, including My Number Card and smartphone scanning, keypad, and audio guidance. By integrating these functions into a single unit, the design minimizes the physical space required for operation. The compact dimensions—98mm wide, 225mm deep, and 268mm tall—optimize its placement in reception areas with limited space.

Support and Additional Features

• - Government Subsidy Program: Under the FY2025 supplementary budget, medical institutions and pharmacies adopting the new face recognition card reader will be eligible for cost subsidies. Details about the subsidies and application processes will be provided progressively through the portal site managed by the Social Insurance Medical Fee Payment Fund.

• - Enhanced Security Protocols: Features including anti-peeping filters and audio/LED alerts for card retrieval contribute to safeguarding patients' personal information. The Hi-CARA2 can coexist with the older Hi-CARA model, with the capability to connect up to four units to a single qualification verification terminal without additional licensing fees.

• - Robust Warranty System: In case of any malfunctions, the device's self-diagnosis feature allows users to assess its condition. A five-year warranty with advance exchange service is included, ensuring users can utilize the device comfortably over an extended period (note that damages due to negligence, such as drops or water exposure, are not covered).

Contact Information for General Inquiries

For more information on Canon's edge device solutions, obtain quotes, or engage with customer support, please visit the Canon website or the dedicated Hi-CARA2 homepage. Stay updated with the latest news through our press release page.