Japan’s new immigration rules being implemented

[unhappycamper]

Japan’s new immigration rules being implemented
By Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, November 22, 2007

Under new immigration rules, Japan on Tuesday began fingerprinting and photographing all foreign nationals who enter the country.

The fingerprints and photos will be checked for matches on terrorist watch lists and files on foreigners with criminal records in Japan. People matching the data will be denied entry and deported.

While Americans covered by the status of forces agreement are exempt from the new procedures, immigration officials are reminding SOFA personnel to have their paperwork in order.

SOFA personnel “should present military ID card and documentation which can verify the person is under the SOFA to the immigration control officer,” the Fukuoka Immigration Control Naha District Office said in a statement Monday.

Anyone who cannot show proper documentation is subject to the new entry procedures, the statement said.

Proper documentation includes military ID, travel orders, leave orders, exit/re-entry permits and embarkation/disembarkation cards, according to immigration officials.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50427