Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
Do the Japanese use a pinky fingerprint to keep out the Yakuza? ;)
If I read it right, it now applies to all visitors, who perhaps can satisfy the requirement through their passport.
All of my Alien Registration Cards in Japan, except for the very last one I got, had my pinky fingerprint on it.
Abolishing the fingerprint requirement for gaijin in Japan back in the 90s was on of the Japanese liberal's few victories in their attempt to make Japan more politically correct.
It's interesting to me that they are so quiet about the return of this requirement.
I suspect that they have decided that being terrorist-free and a little un-PC beats the possibility of terrorists in your country.
There is also the problem of oridnary crime by foreigners, mainly Chinese gangsters and assorted groups of Turks, Iranians and Africans -- which seems to be on the rise.
Currently, when the cops start getting close to catching them, they crooks hop on a plane back to their home country, buy a new passport in a different name, and come right back to Japan.
This will put a stop that revolving door