fingerprint

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Upper House begins discussion on bill to fingerprint foreigners at their entry

On May 10, the House of Councilors Judicial Affairs Committee began discussing a bill to require foreign nationals to be fingerprinted at their entry into Japan.

The bill, if enacted, will apply to all non-Japanese nationals 16 years or older except "special permanent residents" who had been forced to settle in Japan under its pre-war colonial policies and their children.

Japanese Communist Party representative Nihi Sohei pointed out that the fingerprinting procedure that had been required under the Alien Registration Law was abolished through "historical struggles." He stated, "There is no problem in identifying people by photographs and signatures. Why is it needed to reintroduce the requirement for permanent or long-term residents to submit their fingerprints?"

A representative of the Justice Ministry stated that it is a "counterterrorism measure," and that permanent residents are foreign nationals.

Nihi criticized their remarks for indicating that they consider foreigners as having higher risks of committing crimes or terrorist acts.
- Akahata, May 11, 2006