MOJ Website on fingerprinting/photos at Immigration from Nov 2007

[Iraira]

What was worrying however, is that they had security guards posted at EVERY immigration checkin counter. What made me uncomfortable was that each guard stood right behind you, and it felt like they were expecting me to make a move or something. Thats about it.

So, if a foreigner freaks out while in line, this would inflate the "Gaijin Hanzai" stats wouldn't it. How about, this.....somehow, spike all the Japanese people's in-flight beverages with amphetamines and some other drug that causes major paranoia, irritability, and impatience (perhaps also causing flatulence might be a nice touch). It would have to be a very potent mix, as Japanese seem to be able to patiently wait in line for hours for a bowl of mediocre miso ramen. Get the locals to freak out while waiting in line. Would make foreigners look completely tame. Plus, after the toxological tests came back, it would show that a large number of J-folks are tweekers.

Note: this is just an idea that came to me while I was sleepwalking. I in no way support this, nor condone such behavior, as it includes the administration of controlled substances to unwitting individuals who probably can't hang, and as it may include the handling of dangerous and illegal substances (ie. miso ramen).

[Mulboyne]

Mainichi editorial:

...The ministry must also clearly state the standards by which collected data will be preserved and handled. Going by what the ministry has said so far, the data collected will not be necessary if the person who presented it is not on any of the lists used for comparing it with. Even considering keeping the fingerprints and photos on file in case of trouble while the presenter is in the country, this data should be destroyed when the person leaves the country, or at least after a set period of time. There should be a set limit for how long this data can be kept. Considering that there have been many criticisms of faults in the U.S. system, the government must, on the basis of controlling individuals' private information, set clear steps of the processes involved in dealing with what happens when somebody's details match those on the lists and what happens when somebody is mistakenly added to those lists. It is also essential that punishments be put in place for any misuse of the information obtained...

[Samurai_Jerk]

I don't agree with this policy, but I don't understand the argument that it's ineffective. If the goal is to screen out known terrorists, criminals, and visa violators based on a databse of fingerprints, this seems like a pretty effective way to do it.

[ttjereth]

I don't agree with this policy, but I don't understand the argument that it's ineffective. If the goal is to screen out known terrorists, criminals, and visa violators based on a databse of fingerprints, this seems like a pretty effective way to do it.

For known criminals and stuff, but it's fairly useless for those who have never actually been caught.

Suicide bombers for instance don't do a lot of repeat crime

[Iraira]

Suicide bombers for instance don't do a lot of repeat crime

That might make a decent slogan on a t-shirt. You'd probably would get hassled by the cops a lot.

[Samurai_Jerk]

For known criminals and stuff, but it's fairly useless for those who have never actually been caught.

Suicide bombers for instance don't do a lot of repeat crime

I still don't think that arguing against the effectiveness is the way to go, because now that the system is in place all they have to do is shift the emphasis away from terrorism to screening out previous visa violators and criminals on Interpol's list. I think civil liberties is the only argument with staying power. Of course civil liberties have no legs in Japan, so I guess we're screwed no matter what. Welcome to 1984!

[Mulboyne]

I still don't think that arguing against the effectiveness is the way to go, because now that the system is in place all they have to do is shift the emphasis away from terrorism to screening out previous visa violators and criminals on Interpol's list. I think civil liberties is the only argument with staying power. Of course civil liberties have no legs in Japan, so I guess we're screwed no matter what. Welcome to 1984!

I think that's right. The civil liberties argument can also point out that real effectiveness would come by fingerprinting special permanent residents and Japanese too and yet neither of those options would be acceptable. Again, I don't see this line getting much sympathy domestically. For all the Ministry's talk about anti-terrorism, it's clear that not many Japanese citizens are worried about that threat but they are worried about foreign crime so, in general, they seem to support these measures.

[ttjereth]

I still don't think that arguing against the effectiveness is the way to go, because now that the system is in place all they have to do is shift the emphasis away from terrorism to screening out previous visa violators and criminals on Interpol's list. I think civil liberties is the only argument with staying power. Of course civil liberties have no legs in Japan, so I guess we're screwed no matter what. Welcome to 1984!

I don't really think the real purpose was ever terrorists, it's just a more acceptable excuse.

To catch "terrorists.
"foreign criminals, visa overstayers, other illegal aliens, etc.

It's the same thing as hunting whales for "research" purposes.

[Greji]

It's the same thing as hunting whales for "research" purposes.

Hmmm, hunting and cataloging FG's by photo and fingerprints for research purposes? Sounds reasonable to me, afterall TIJ.

[ttjereth]

Hmmm, hunting and cataloging FG's by photo and fingerprints for research purposes? Sounds reasonable to me, afterall TIJ.

Wonder if we're high in mercury too.

[james]

this system has been put in place, ostensibly to prevent terorrism. we all know of course this is complete b.s.

this system would not stop a "new" terrorist, ie someone with a completely clean record coming in for the first time to do some dirty work. pointless.

existing / known terrorists are not going to enter through conventional channels, nor will they enter the country legitimately. they're going to exploit any loopholes they can find, such as those mentioned in the article. stowing away on paid off chinese or russian fishing vessels or what have you.

every act of terror thusfar here has been homegrown.

i'm not keen on having my biometric / electronic data collected, especially when it's going to be shared with that other great bastion of freedom, which i also currently refuse to travel to / through.

more pragmatically, and somewhat emotionally, i'm rather annoyed by both the completely xenophobic scapegoating attitudes behind this system and the fact that i'd not only not be able to go through customs with my family but that it'll likely take a hell of a lot longer now.

[Blah Pete]

[Taro Toporific]

A...the contract for the fingerprinting/photo equipment and data management for the MOJ. ...
What first caught my attention is the contract to maintain the whole system per year is 100,000 Japanese Yen.

For reference, no contract to maintain J-government system when I worked at Hitachi was bid under 5 million yen. Either the supplier (NEC is the brandname you can see on the fingerprinting/photo equipment) was raped or there's huge kickback going on here.

[Oradea]

I came through customs yesterday at nagoya airport. The retina scan machine was different from the one pictured above. It actually sped up my entry, because is was so pissed off at having to fingerprint, that i went to the queue marked for crew, and i was the only one there, i got through before my Japanese wife did.

[Taro Toporific]

Narita is fuckqued ....

http://ringo.net/forum/
...I went to immigration in the north wing, only to find that the pre-registration window and automatic gates are only in the SOUTH wing. The told me if I wanted to pre-register, I needed to go back out through security and come back in through the south wing immigration... I did that, and in the process of going through the "automatic" gate, I asked about re-entering - surely they have the automatic gates in both wings there.... 'fraid not. Only the south wing. Since I'm pretty sure there is no passage between the two baggage carousel areas, it seems that if you come in on a flight in the north wing, pre-registration has done you no particular goodhttp://ringo.net/forum/index.php?topic=169.msg1623#msg1623

[omae mona]

Narita is fuckqued ....

Hey, can anybody clarify what the hell pre-registration accomplishes anyway, even if you end up in the correct wing? All the things I read about pre-registration a few weeks ago made sense to me until they announced a special re-entry permit line. If I understand correctly, the re-entry permit line is available for all re-entry permit holders, regardless of whether you'e pre-registered or not. So now I'm not sure I understand the point of pre-registering anyway.

[Greji]

So now I'm not sure I understand the point of pre-registering anyway.

It's actually quite simple omae mona, you just pre-register and that will move you to the top of the list, when the local police put out the call to "round up all the usual suspects".

[omae mona]

It's actually quite simple omae mona, you just pre-register and that will move you to the top of the list, when the local police put out the call to "round up all the usual suspects".

I'm all in favor of getting my weekly questioning over and done with sooner rather than later. My standard response ("She told me she was 20") always works anyway. OK, I'm off to the Shinagawa immigration center now!

[Samurai_Jerk]

"round up all the usual suspects".

[Mulboyne]

The Yomiuri explains the new system to children (Japanese).

[amdg]

Wow. That's just begging for a trip to the 'shop.

[GuyJean]

Hmmm, hunting and cataloging FG's by photo and fingerprints for research purposes? Sounds reasonable to me, afterall TIJ.

I thought they used that excuse for killing whales..

BTW, I'm surprised a Soviet-era war veteran would roll-over for Communist style 'information gathering' such as this.. Oh, well. Whatever the the government says, right? ]really[/I] Japanese? )

I used superglue on my index fingers a couple days before, so I doubt they have decent prints. I also grew a caveman beard before I returned then crossed my eyes for the photo.. We all look the same anyway though. So, not sure if that worked..

It's ironic watching 'Welcome to Japan' animations superimposed over Fuji on a LCD screen when you're oiling up your asshole to be fucked by the J-imbecile Diet. Take my prints.. You'll lose them anyway.. .... Or they'll be stolen by real terrorists..

GJ

[Samurai_Jerk]

The Yomiuri explains the new system to children (Japanese).

Fucking excellent.

[Behan]

Looks like they are starting nationalist indoctrination at a young age.

What the two kids on the right are saying is kind of scary if you are paranoid like me.

Sorry if it's in this thread already, but someone on LetsJapan pointed out that Japananese terrorists have killed FGs overseas but no foreigners have ever carried out a terrorist attack on Japan.

So I think it would be better if these machines were set up on the departure side of the airport to keep the terrorist Chrysanthemums in Japan.

[amdg]

[Behan]

I love your translating skills!:p

I just noticed how big the FG's nose is, too. I guess they wanted to be anatomically correct.

[omae mona]

amdg, that needs to be translated back into Japanese and circulated on 2ch. Seriously.

[amdg]

Why the hell do the kids need to be told about the new system anyway. How is this "Kid's news"?? It's completely irrelevant to them. It's like reporting about the new haulage restrictions for Swedish truckers.

Just pure indoctrination of the kids.

テロリストや犯罪者（はんざいしゃ）といった悪い外国人の入国を防ぐのが狙（ねら）いです

[emperor]

he makes a good point

A man nearly died from alcohol poisoning after quaffing a liter (two pints) of vodka at an airport security check instead of handing it over to comply with new carry-on rules...

[Catoneinutica]

Meh, the whole business just strikes me as a bunch of tatemae-tastic hooey to help sugarcoat for the reality that business in Japan wants and needs huge numbers of immigrants to stay competitive. Time Magazine, for what it's worth, has a cover story on the increasing number of Chinese immigrants to Japan, confirming what we've been reading on FG for a while now.

And J-slavemaster-employers are going to have to be increasingly discreet about how they treat their Chinese labor. No more chains and cattle prods, lest the news gets out and they end up annoying Big Daddy next door.