Counterterrorism

The article, "Not so welcome to Japan any longer" is about the new procedure, which will be started from November 20, in entering Japan. It obliges foreigners to be fingerprinted and photograph when they enter or reenter Japan. Only children under 16, diplomats and special-status and permanent residents can escape it.

Fingerprinting and photographing are not good policy because they are taken as a discrimination against foreigners, and they do not assure that terrorists come into Japan. They target almost everyone. However, anyone cannot recognize who is a terrorist, and we do not have their fingerprints and photographs. Therefore, the percentage that the terrorists are arrested is really low. Taking the policy of fingerprinting and photographing means that Japan sees foreigners as terrorists and it is a discrimination against them. It is also an invasion of privacy. So its effects are doubtful and many people will point out the policy.