A Taiwanese-born New Zealander has had his passport photo rejected by his own government due to “closed eyes”.
Richard Lee was attempting to renew his passport online to take a trip to Australia but was surprised to receive a rejection message from the New Zealand government’s online passport check saying:
“The photo you want to upload does not meet our criteria because: subject eyes are closed.”
As you can see from the photo Lee submitted he clearly has his eyes open:
Lee contacted the New Zealand government after the mishap who subsequently told him that his photo was rejected because of “uneven lighting on the face”.
Many are calling the New Zealand government’s department of foreign affairs passport system “racist” but Lee saw the funny side. Far from being offended Lee thought it was quite an amusing reaction to his application and posted the rejection on his Facebook account. Lee’s story quickly went viral both in New Zealand and across the globe.
▼ A photo of Lee from his Instagram account
Lee has been quoted as saying:
“The error message didn’t bother me that much, I saw the humor in it and obviously it’s a programming error in the recognition software.”
Lee cleverly posted another picture on his Facebook page that he felt may be more to the liking of the online passport program:
Here are some comments from Lee’s Facebook post:
“Racist much! Lol”
“Haha, I went to school with this dude.”
“Are your eyes even open?”
“Sue for racism.”
“HAHAHHAHAHJAHAHAHA, I’M DYING.”
Good on Lee for seeing the funny side with this one. What do you think of the photo rejection? Racism or technological mishap?
Source: NextShark, New Zealand Herald
Featured image: Facebook/RichardLeeOfficial
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura