Editorial article
Fingerprints and Photos Now Collected from Visitors
Smile, you are on camera. Yes, you heard me right. Japan is a second country after USA which has taken a new measure to limit the terrorism.
Every temporary visitors are now required to provide a fingerprint and face photo sample before entering Japan. They now have a machine next to the immigration officer. You must stick your fingers to the machine and try to make a pose to the small camera that captures your photo.
And there is no way you could say no, if you refuse to give them the sample, you will be deported right away and you cannot enter Japan.
There has been a lot of criticism from people who visit Japan on frequent basis because of their job, as this causes long waiting lines in the airports, and even a strict method like this will not make it impossible for terrorists to enter the country. Some consider this downright rude and intimidating.
Frankly I was surprised to see Japan adopted this so soon after USA, when considering how infrequent the terrorism caused by foreigners are in Japan.
But then again, it seems that the machines are here to stay, so all of us simply must nicely comply to this method, if we are to enter Japan.
It appears that people who have permanent resident status can skip this. But this seems to depend on airports, it would seem that in some airports every foreigners, no matter of their status are forced to give fingerprint & photo sample.
I only wonder when they will start taking blood samples.
Teenagers under 16, as well as diplomats are free from this nuisance.
