Japan begins fingerprinting, photographing visitors

Tokyo, Nov 20 (DPA) Japan Tuesday began taking fingerprints of foreign visitors and photographing them, becoming the second country in the world after the US to bring this change to the immigration law in force.

At the nation's 27 airports and 126 seaports Tuesday, immigration officials took head shots and scanned index fingers of visitors entering Japan.

The system was introduced amid mounting protests from Japan Federation of Bar Associations, human rights groups and foreign residents.

Opposition groups claimed the biometric data can be used for criminal investigations and is an infringement on privacy.

The data and fingerprints will be saved in computer files for checks against those of past deportees and suspects wanted by the Japanese police or Interpol.

But the government called it a necessary measure for anti-terrorism security.

The measure excludes ethnic Koreans and other permanent residents with special status, those under 16, those visiting Japan for diplomatic or official purposes, and those invited by the Japanese government.

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