The government approved a bill Tuesday requiring that all foreign visitors be fingerprinted and photographed as part of the campaign to fight terrorism.
The bill, which will be submitted to the current Diet session, is aimed at blocking terrorists from entering Japan under false identities.
It is based on an antiterrorism action plan approved in December 2004 that includes fingerprinting and photographing all foreign visitors upon entry.
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations, however, opposes blanket fingerprinting, saying it violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The bill, which would revise the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law, stipulates that foreigners entering Japan must present personal identification data in electromagnetic format, including fingerprints, photographs and other items as defined by ordinances issued by the Justice Ministry.
The measure excludes ethnic Koreans and other permanent residents with special status, people under 16, people visiting Japan for diplomatic or official purposes, and those invited by the government.
Fingerprints and other personal identification data will be electronically registered and matched against information of past deportees.
The bill says the formats of electromagnetic data, including fingerprints or photographs, will be decided by ministerial ordinances.
The bill includes a provision enabling the government to deport those judged by the justice minister to be terrorists. A provision requires planes and ships arriving in Japan to submit passenger lists before arrival.