What a pity, Japan is going to be a suerveillance state. At least for us foreigners. Mainichi reports:
Japan plans to fingerprint foreigners aged 16 or over when they enter the country as an anti-terrorism measure, details of a revised immigration bill obtained by the Mainichi have shown.
In addition, people that the justice minister deems likely to "commit crimes aimed at threatening the public" will be deported under new regulations, the revised bill on immigration and refugee recognition says.
The bill, which the government plans to submit to the Diet in the near future, does not require fingerprinting for some foreigners, including special long-term Korean residents, those aged under 16, those who come to Japan for diplomatic or public activities, and guests invited by Japan.
But in Japan the bill will have some resistance:
Fingerprinting at immigration checkpoints has been introduced in the United States, but the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and other organizations are opposed to the same measures being introduced in Japan, and the bill is likely to stir controversy.
"Fingerprinting people violates the respect for individuals under the Constitution as well as stipulations on freedom of action banning treatment that is discreditable," a federation official said.
Federation officials say that in addition to violating privacy, the measure also hinders the formation of a society in which Japanese can live together with foreigners.
Let's hope, the bill doesn't get through. Because I pretty much agree with the stated critisism.