Complaints about human rightsviolationsare expected over themeasuresto keep out terrorists.
Sixteen specific measures are included in the government's action plan to prevent acts of terrorism, includingmandatory fingerprintingand photographs of all foreigners when they enter the country.
Many of the measures involovelegal revisionsregulationson foreign visitors attempting to enter the country. The plan will also give theJustice Ministrygreater powers tobanentry orexpelsuspected terrorists.
A governmentpanel, headed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda, drew up therecommendationson ways tothwartinternational organized crime groups and terrorists. The panel's finalapprovalof the plan is expected Friday.
As with similar anti-terrorism measures drawn up in other nations, Japan's plan will likelysparkinfringingon the rights of foreigners.
The government panel'sanalysisconcludes that the possibility of an international terrorist group operating in Japan cannot benegatedbecause Japan has been named a target by al-Qaida and other Islamic radical groups. Japan is also home torepresentativesof American interests that have been threatened by Islamic extremists, according to the panel.
nation. Reports in May said an individual with ties to al-Qaida repeatedly entered Japan using afakeFrench passport.
The action plan also sets deadlines for submittingbills to the Diet totoughenup immigration and other laws.
The bill to allow immigration officials to fingerprint and photograph foreigners entering the country should be submitted by 2006, according to the panel.
There are also plans to fingerprintapplicantsfor visas before they travel to Japan.
Otherrevisionswould give the Justice Ministry the power to ban suspected terrorists from entering the country or expelling those found in Japan. Under current laws, even individuals who have been identified as terrorists cannot be banned from entry or kicked out.
Other changes include:
●Requiring the submission of passenger andcrew rostersto plane and ship captains before departure from a foreign port;
●Development of a system to quicklyalertthe authorities about lost and stolen passports gathered by the International Criminal Police Organization, orInterpol;
●Toughening restrictionson foreign tourists by requiring hotels and inns to ask for the nationality and passport number of foreign customers at check-in; and