[Roy T Forbes]

Sorry for not getting this info out earlier, but just to let everyone know so you won't be caught off guard on your next return to Jiba: any non-Japanese entering Japan after November 20, 2007 will be subject to U.S. Homeland Security-like measures of being fingerprinted and photographed.

The following people are eligible for exemption from these new measures:
(1) Special permanent residents
(2) Persons under the age of 16
(3) Persons engaged in activities which fall under the status of residence for "Diplomat" or "Official"
(4) Persons invited by the heads of administrative organs (organizations?)
(5) Persons provided for the Ministry of Justice Ordinance as equivalent to a person listed in (3) or (4)

For more info, go to Immigration Bureau of Japan website:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/index.html
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/keiziban/happyou/pdf/poster-english.pdf

Is there anyone out there who has already gone through this new procedure? If it is not too much to ask, please share your experience here.

[lewdev]

ouch... I think the last time I've got my finger printed was when I got my passport.

Well, good to know ahead of time because I'd be in shock finding that out at the airport.
_________________
"One World, One Family" -Tenrikyo
http://lewdev.net

[Roy T Forbes]

I actually went through this procedure in November 2008.

You have to place both your index fingers on the scanners at the same time. I couldn't do it right the first try but got it done with my second one.

A senior citizen in front of me had a difficult time getting it done. I really felt bad for him since the immigration guy was giving him a hard time. Talk about a dehumanizing experience. Japan will lose a lot of potential tourists with this procedure if they decide to stick with it.

I have also heard that the limousine bus from Kansai Airport to Ichinomoto is getting a fare hike: from 1800 to 2000 yen. The hike is supposed to occur from February 1, 2009.