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Homer
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 Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:02 am Post subject: Gaining entry to Japan... |
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Was talking to my brother last night and he told me that the new regulations imposed by Japan for entry into the country are causing quite a stir with foreign nationals...
Japan, as of very recently, requires that people entering the country submit for fingerprinting and have their pictures taken....that must be fun at the airport immigration counter!
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/18/asia/18japan.php
An quote that sums it up..
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On Tuesday, Japan will put in place one of the toughest systems in the developed world for monitoring foreign visitors. Modeled on the United States' controversial U.S.-Visit program, it will require foreign citizens to be fingerprinted, photographed and questioned every time they enter Japan.
The screening will extend even to Japan's 2.1 million foreign residents, many of whom fear they will soon face clogged immigration lines whenever they enter the country. People exempted from the checks include children under 16, diplomats and "special permanent residents," a euphemism for Koreans and other Asians brought to Japan as slave laborers during World War II and their descendants. |
All in the name of security.
You have to wonder if this US-led initiative will spread to other countries. |
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Mosley
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Go to the Japan Forum and check out the thread started by me. Interesting comments from posters who are mostly residents in Japan.
CHARGE OF THE FOREIGNERS
"Xenophobia to the left of them (Korea), xenophobia to the right of them(Japan)"
Apologies to Tennyson.... |
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Newbie
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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Doesn't the USA do the exact same thing?
I'll never understand why people get upset over such useless crap. Take a deep breath everybody and pull the pickles from your arses. (that's not directed at you Homer as you don't seem to be "upset") |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| Newbie wrote: |
| Doesn't the USA do the exact same thing? |
Yes, and it's not a hassle AT ALL. As he is scanning in your passport (as he would be doing anyway) you put your index finger on the scanner device. You picture is taken automatically via webcam. Maybe the guy asks you an extra question or two, but so what? That's a whole extra 30 seconds out of your life.
Yeah, real rough. |
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Homer
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:37 am Post subject: |
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I was just discussing the policy...
Personally I do not think it is a big deal. But it does create a backlog at immigration upon entry.
A country has every right to decide what they want to require for entry. No problems there!
I wonder if other countries will follow suit with this. I am thinking of Korea here since they too are on a clean up line for admission of foreigners after a few criminals were outed....personally, if they change to a US/Japan-like entry policy...I have no problem with it but it would make it real tough on runners to get back in. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:42 am Post subject: |
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If they get a really nice efficient system going on, I don't care much. But the first time I entered Japan and they didn't ask me a single question, I was a bit shocked.
I got questioned for 2-3 minutes at Vancouver, entering with a Canadian passport. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:44 am Post subject: |
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| Homer wrote: |
| I have no problem with it but it would make it real tough on runners to get back in. |
Why? Runners are not criminals. No crime has been committed. |
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jessiaka
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:06 am Post subject: |
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I went to Japan the second day after they started taking photos and fingerprinting.
I didn't mind it at all AND it was faster than Korean immigration, that's for sure! |
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yawarakaijin
Joined: 08 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:17 am Post subject: |
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The system isnt merely used for those wishing to enter Japan for vacation or short term stays. It will be used to fingerprint and photograph ALL foreigners entering Japan EACH and EVERY time.
That includes Joe Smith who got married in Japan 25 years ago and is raising a family here. That includes Jean Pierre who has had a business in Japan for the last 10 years, is paying taxes, employs Japanese nationals, and has never had a run in with the law.
It is being done in the name of preventing terrorism when there has never been a single act of terrorism perpetrated by a foreigner in Japan. There are numerous Japanese organizations that oppose this new system.
As far as I know the American system does not target those who have obtained a green card or have attained American citizenship through other channels. (Sorry I dont know the American system, If you marry an American do you get a green card or just citizenship?)
Either way, could you imagine being given the right to live in America and then being forced to be fingerprinted and photographed EVERY TIME you left and came home because you are a foreigner and possible terrorist threat? Does not really make much sense does it?
It is nothing more than a racist policy. |
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Homer
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:40 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Why? Runners are not criminals. No crime has been committed. |
Frankie..runners are not criminals for the most part but if you get printed and photographed, then pull a runner, it will be easier for immigration to notice when you comeback. This might lead to a more evenly enforced policy when it comes to runners who basically break their contract. If their visa has not been cancelled the system could tell that to the immigration officer and Joe Runner would get turned back.
Theoretically of course. |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:34 am Post subject: Re: Gaining entry to Japan... |
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| Homer wrote: |
All in the name of "security".
You have to wonder if this US-led initiative will spread to other countries. |
Yep 
*sniff, sniff*
NEW WORLD ODOR
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_Order_%28conspiracy%29
There was a time not so long ago when i had considered going to Japan, but not any longer.
This cowboy votes with his feet 
No way am i giving freely giving nothing, least of all a set of my "unique" fingerprints, DNA sample or what have you, for the fascist Nips to publically database.
That kinda treatment ought only be reserved exclusively for dangerous criminals & those among the corrupt political elite 
Japan PM In "Damage Control" After Arrest, Iraq Vote
by Shigemi Sato
Wed Nov 28, 10:14 AM ET
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's two-month-old government was in "damage control" Wednesday as the former top defence bureaucrat was arrested in a bribery scandal and a resurgent opposition voted to end an air mission in Iraq.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/japanpolitics;_ylt=Agj8rvUFDOJ_4rBLnnXPqqADW7oF
Last edited by igotthisguitar on Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:23 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: |
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| Homer wrote: |
| If their visa has not been cancelled the system could tell that to the immigration officer and Joe Runner would get turned back. |
Their computer files would already have that information. If you did a runner, and your visa has not been cancelled, that info would be on their screen regardlees if they had your fingerprints/picture or not.
The only time Immigration cares if you've done a runner is if you've done it multiple times and have proven yourself unworthy of receiving yet another work visa. They won't turn you back, but if you have a track record of not finishing visas they'll just refuse to give you any more. |
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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: |
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I just got back from Japan.
I had trouble getting in (4 days ago). Yes, there is a fingerprint machine at the counter, you put both index fingers on the sensor.They took me aside while they examined my new passport for a while. Eventually they let me go when i asked "Whats the problem exactly. Is something wrong?" they could not give a proper answer. I was a bit annoyed..
Likewise the next waygook behind me got similar treatment.
it appears that they are trying to show foreigners a tough time, apparently because they want to crackdown on foreigners entering to look for work. Thats what i heard.
You will need to have details of the hotel you are staying and have reserved. Also details of why you are entering.
But yes, it seems to be another stupid crackdown thing. I won't go as far as slamming them as racists just yet though because they are certainly way nicer than koreans...
Last edited by Julius on Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:44 am; edited 1 time in total |
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huffdaddy
Joined: 25 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:43 am Post subject: |
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| yawarakaijin wrote: |
| The system isnt merely used for those wishing to enter Japan for vacation or short term stays. It will be used to fingerprint and photograph ALL foreigners entering Japan EACH and EVERY time. |
Umm, but how is immigration going to know who everyone really is unless they get a fingerprint each and every time? |
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Homer
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:54 am Post subject: |
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Frankie,
I agree with what you are saying but an expanded system would perhaps make it easier for immigration to track traffic in and out of the country.
As such, runners whose visas have not been cancelled or who have been flagged by an employer would show up all the quicker. It would take much of the hodge-podge approach out of individual immigration officers and perhaps lead to a more uniform policy application.
For the record, immigration does care if you pulled a runner in a case where you try to comeback quickly and if your visa was not cancelled by your former employer.
A more stringent system would simply close the gaps. That is all I am saying here. |
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