Tough anti-terror checks await all visitors to Japan

Soon all visitors to Japan will be subjected to tough new anti-terrorism checks. Biometric technologies will are being put into place to scan for fingerprints and take an electronic picture. New guidelines will be put into action on November 20th although this date is subject to change. All passengers to Japan must comply with the new regulations with a few exceptions such as those with permanent residency, teenagers below 16, diplomats on official visits and those invited by the head of any ministry of the Japanese government. The travel agencies do not foresee this new policy deterring travelers from visiting Japan because passports hold so much private information as it is, this will be no more of a violation of privacy than checking passports. Also, they are taking measures to see that the process takes less than 30 seconds so there are no inconveniences.
These tough anti-terror checks will most likely provide the Japanese people with a greater sense of security as well as the travelers. With as many visitors as Japan has (up to 10 billion expected by 2010) they need to take greater measures to ensure their peoples safety. The scanners will be looking for people who are already on the terrorist list and for people who have previously been deported by Japan. I predict this new safety measure will take more time at first because people will have to get use to the new system. Also, people will probably complain about it being a violation of their privacy and other stuff but I think it will be well worth the extra time and inconvenience just to feel secure. I have seen these new devices they will use. I went to Bermuda and at the customs counter they had equipment sitting on the counter that looked high tech. There were two slots you place your forefingers in and look into the camera and it takes a picture of you. They didn’t use them when we went through and I wondered why but now I know that in the future they will be used in Japan and the rest of the world probably isn’t too far behind them.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=52845&sid=15231910&con_type=1