Japan to fingerprint all foreign entrants now....

[B]Tokyo[/B]
October 26, 2007 03:13pm
Article from: Reuters


[B]JAPAN[/B] is to fingerprint and photograph foreigners entering the country from next month in an anti-terrorism policy that is stirring anger among foreign residents and human rights activists.
Anyone considered to be a terrorist – or refusing to co-operate – will be denied entry and deported.
 
"This will greatly contribute to preventing international terrorist activities on our soil," Immigration Bureau official Naoto Nikai said in a briefing on the system, which starts on November 20.
The checks are similar to the "US Visit" system introduced in the US after the attacks on September 11, 2001.
 
But Japan, unlike the United States, will require resident foreigners as well as visitors to be fingerprinted and photographed every time they re-enter the country. 
 
"It certainly doesn't make people who've been here for 30 or 40 years feel like they're even human beings basically," said businessman Terrie Lloyd, who has dual Australian and New Zealand citizenship and has been based in Japan for 24 years.
"There has not been a single incident of foreign terrorism in Japan, and there have been plenty of Japanese terrorists," he said.
There are more than two million foreigners registered as resident in Japan, of whom 40 per cent are classed as permanent residents. 
 
The pictures and fingerprints obtained by immigration officials will be made available to police and may be shared with foreign immigration authorities and governments.
Diplomats and children under 16 are excluded from the new requirement, as are "special" permanent residents of Korean and Chinese origin, many of whom are descended from those brought to Japan as forced labour before and during World War Two.
Local government fingerprinting of foreign residents when issuing registration cards, long a source of friction, was abolished in 2000.
 
Amnesty International is calling for the immigration plan to be abandoned.
"Making only foreigners provide this data is discriminatory," said Sonoko Kawakami of Amnesty's Japan office.
"They are saying 'terrorist equals foreigner'. It's an exclusionary policy that could encourage xenophobia."
The new system is being introduced as Japan campaigns to attract more tourists.
More than 6.7m foreign visitors came to Japan in 2006, government statistics show. Immigration officials say they are unsure how long tourists can expect to wait in line for the checks to be made.
 
[B]Britain is set to require non-European foreign nationals to register biometric details when applying for visas from next year.[/B]

Meh, I don't think it's a bad idea. Got nothing to hide, nothing to worry about. 

I do think it's excessive on Japan's part though.

I thnk thats where people go wrong. "Let them do whatever...Ive got nothing to hide" . while that may be true, once u go down that road...u cant turn around. 
 
Fingerprinting is for crimminals. :smiley:

Typical old school Japanese attitude...how gay.

It's better than just doing 'random' checks on people here in the states. Instead of singling out a certain group of people they just do it with everybody who's a foreigner. 

If it's a simple finger print scan, then you would be on file, and it wouldn't take too long to do it again the next time you come in, swipe and go, no big deal. 

I don't know how many airports there are, but 6.7mil/365/24= ~764 people an hour. That's divided up between airports.  It probably won't back up  the systems too much,  per se,  if you already have to fill out all your information anyways, what's a finger print/photo on top of it? 30 seconds more? Not that big of a deal.

I have nothing to hide: Let them fingerprint me
I have nothing to hide: Let them search my person
I have nothing to hide: Let them search my computer
I have nothing to hide: Let them search my car
I have nothing to hide: Let them search my home
I have nothing to hide: Let them detain me to see if ive done sumthing wrong....
 
I have nothing to hide:  you have nothing, because you gave it up. 
 
 
Many people have fought and died for the freedoms people carlessly throw away because its not Convenient for them to fight for.
 
 
 
 
sheep
 
 
"people willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both"
 - B.franklin

However, fingerprints reveal nothing about you, unlike your search examples.

i wonder if they would require our U.S. military personal to such requirments also? on base or off base?

[quote=firelizard;101953]However, fingerprints reveal nothing about you, unlike your search examples.[/quote]
 
You're missing the point. :pat:

No, I'm just disagreeing with you about fingerprinting programs :smiley:

Fought died for freedom for the US. I don't have anything to hide but it's the country's decision.It was noted on another thread that if this information gets matched up incorrectly for a foreigner being at the wrong place at the wrong that would suck. But how often would that happen. National Security is an issue for all countries. Just b/c we have not or are not causing trouble doesn't mean the man behind us isn't. I'd rather take domestic flight in Japan knowing that if a known terrorist tried to get through customs there is a good chance he will be stopped. Also not to be accused of trying to over stay my welcome since i'll basically be tracked when I enter the country. Unfortunately Safety comes at a cost. Some freedoms are given up to keep people safe. Same thing as locking your doors at night.

Good point, rather than search for certain 'suspicious' people, everyone will be finger printed, and finger prints don't lie. Well, atleast they'll know who you were. next time you come in, and change your name, they'd know.

realisticly, how many 'known' terorist would be walking around. If they were 'known', theyd be in jail or doing other crazy shit that wouldnt involve being finger printed....common sense (not that they have much) would surely dictate that. 
 
 
 
The animals that do this crazy shit come from places that rarely use fingerprinting technology anyway. Most have never had a crimminal record. They just obtain a passport and go do shit theyve never done before. Its not like they have sui cide bomberz who are repeat-offenderz. 
 
I dont mind having my luggage searched on planes...or having to take off my shoes n stuff like that. its just the crazy world we live in now :sad:
 
[I]Our Airline suspect list is up to 1 million confirmed US citizens now...and growing rapidly btw [/I]
 
I dont have all the answers but there are people who are paid (and who seek election) to have them...and they need to find other/better solutions besides criminalizing law abiding citizens. 
 
BUT In their defense, Crazy people do crazy shit!! if you'e not a nut case, you cant think like one...
 
 As far as Japan goes: I jus dont want their decision to influence our law makers, who are lazy at times. Thats their country to do with as they please...as long as it doesnt screw up my JDM car parts and electronic purchases :biggthumpup:

[quote=Caoboy;102060]Good point, rather than search for certain 'suspicious' people, everyone will be finger printed, and finger prints don't lie. Well, atleast they'll know who you were. next time you come in, and change your name, they'd know.[/quote]
 
Then maybe you should volunteer for a barcode on your forehead? j/k :smiley:

I'm Just saying if a criminal enters a country gets finger printed, then banned or deported for whatever reason. makes a few alterations changes up his look and name then tries again, the finger prints will show the truth. Also US isn't the only country with immigration issues, maybe not as bad but Japan has them too.

[quote=DriftGirl;102064]Then maybe you should volunteer for a barcode on your forehead? j/k :smiley:[/quote]

What do you think a social security number is for?

Orrrrrrr.....u can get a magic marker and write it on the back of your neck....or maybe a lil cattle branding SS# action? 
[IMG]http://www.bbqblanton.com/numberscattleiron.jpg[/IMG]:shrug:

You are missing the point. Way to go offtopic.

SS#'s arent required (nor can be mandated) by private businesses that arent reporting your transaction as part of your earnings or/and taxes.

Again, you are missing the point. SSN is a barcode in a way. Every citizen has an ssn. Every child born has an SSN. Get it?

Every US Citizen or Resident has a SS.

in Cali, you are to submit your fingerprint for their DMV records. 
some business' requires your fingerprint in order to access facility, and or files for security.
when i fly in to Birmingham U.K., in many occasions, you don't have your "freedom" for awhile. police over there don't take you lightly . . . . 
[IMG]http://images.scotsman.com/2007/04/06/en06airb.jpg[/IMG]

if you're in another country, you may need to abide with their regulations. whether I like it or not.

JDM cavity searches FTW