As the importance of airport security continues to grow, Japan is also facing rapid changes such as the surge in inbound tourists and a declining working population. These shifts are creating mounting pressure on airport operations—especially security.
To address these challenges, Kumamoto International Airport Co., Ltd., the operator of Aso Kumamoto Airport, introduced Asilla’s AI-powered security system, “AI Security asilla”. We sat down with Mr. Tomoda from the Airport Operations Division to learn more about the background behind the decision, the implementation process, and the results so far.
Asilla: Mr. Tomoda, thank you very much for speaking with us Tomoday.
Mr. Tomoda (Kumamoto International Airport Co., Ltd., Security and Disaster Prevention Department): Thank you for having me. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a significant rise in passengers using Aso Kumamoto Airport. Naturally, this has increased the workload for our security staff. The rise in international visitors in particular has brought new challenges, including the need for multilingual support and more attentive customer service.
Mr. Tomoda: Yes, absolutely. It’s been increasingly difficult to hire and retain security personnel. The labor shortage and rising recruitment costs are ongoing challenges across the industry. Under our traditional structure, it became clear that we were hitting a limit—both in terms of managing a growing workload and maintaining sufficient staffing levels.
Mr. Tomoda: It certainly has. The new terminal significantly expanded our facilities, which also widened our security coverage area. In particular, the burden of monitoring camera footage has grown. Monitoring multiple screens for long hours is physically and mentally demanding, and we began to recognize the limitations of relying solely on human vigilance. That’s when we seriously started considering the use of AI-powered solutions to help us manage the complexity.
Mr. Tomoda: We first discovered “asilla” at the 2023 Risk Management Industry Expo. The demonstration showed us just how promising AI technology could be in enhancing the quality of security while reducing the workload on our staff.
Asilla: Were there specific features that made “asilla” stand out?
Mr. Tomoda: Yes, several. We compared a number of systems, and what set “asilla” apart was the exceptional accuracy of its behavior recognition AI. The system offers a wide range of detectable behaviors, which matched our specific needs very well. Another major advantage was that we could utilize our existing IP cameras, making the system much easier and more cost-effective to implement.
Mr. Tomoda: The biggest benefit has been a reduction in monitoring workload. We’ve been able to cut around 420 hours of monitoring labor per month. Since “asilla” can automatically analyze footage from multiple cameras and detect unusual activity or incidents in real time, our staff can now focus on more critical tasks—such as on-site patrols, fixed posts, and emergency response.
Asilla: Have you noticed improvements in incident response as well?
Mr. Tomoda: Definitely. Because the AI automatically detects intrusions and suspicious behavior and notifies us immediately, we can confirm the situation faster and act sooner. This has allowed us to strengthen coverage in areas that previously tended to become blind spots. As a result, our on-site teams can intervene earlier, significantly speeding up initial response times.
Asilla: Those are impressive results. Have there been any other notable changes?
Mr. Tomoda: One unexpected but welcome outcome is a shift in mindset across our entire organization. Not just in management, but among frontline staff as well, there’s growing awareness of how digital transformation (DX) can improve operations. That’s been a major takeaway for us.
Mr. Tomoda: We plan to further deepen our use of “asilla” and accelerate our broader DX initiatives. Our goal is to continue ensuring the safety and security of the airport while operating more efficiently.
Asilla: Thank you again, Mr. Tomoda, for sharing your insights with us Tomoday.
Through the implementation of “AI Security asilla,” Kumamoto International Airport has successfully enhanced both the efficiency of its security operations and the overall level of safety. The application of AI technology has proven to be an effective response to workforce challenges and an essential step toward modernizing airport operations.
At Asilla, we remain committed to contributing to a safer, more secure society through advanced AI-based security solutions.
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