Yahoo Japan is testing a system that allows people to go out shopping without having to bring any money, cards or their phone.

The system uses facial recognition. Company officials hope it can help alleviate a labor shortage in Japan's retail industry.

The company has started testing out the service at an outlet it runs in Tokyo that sells food and daily necessities.

Users register photos of their faces on a smartphone website and link their personal accounts with a cashless payment service.

While shopping, they scan items' bar codes and then show their faces to a recognition device. When the system matches the image to that of the registered photo, it approves the payment.

Yoshioka Tomohiko, senior manager at Yahoo Japan's ID Division, says the system is expected to improve customer turnover and reduce operational burden.

The company says it will continue to tweak the technology with the aim of introducing it at convenience stores and supermarket chains.