JR rail pass at unmanned gate

If I�fm using a JR rail pass, can I enter the station through an unmanned gate? The last time I was in Japan in 2019, I had to show my rail pass to a gate attendant.

You must use a manned gate. Unmanned gates need the ticket to be inserted into the machine. You cannot insert the JR Pass into the turnstile.

"Rail pass holders can now use automatic ticket gates

As of June 2020, pass holders can use the automatic ticket gates to enter railway stations. Previously they had to pass through the manned gate and present their rail pass to the staff."

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html#how

You cannot insert the JR Pass into the turnstile.
The old booklet passes were abolished more than two years ago. The new passes are essentially a ticket and work just fine (and I have done so on several occasions).
A lot has changed since the beginning of 2020.

Japan Rail Pass got redesigned recently to be a magnetic paper ticket.
Therefore, yes, now you can go through automatic ticket gates with your JRP.
https://japanrailpass.net/en/useful.html

Depending on your itinerary and time line,
there can be another option which is better cost-wise than Japan Rail Pass.