Japan adopts new entry procedures for foreigners this week

Effective November 20, travelers headed for Japan will encounter new immigration procedures at their arrival airport that were mandated by a law passed last year. After you present your passport to the Immigration official, you will have to put the index fingers of both hands on a digital fingerprint reader; your prints will be stored electronically. You’ll also have your photo taken by a camera on top of the fingerprint reader. Then the Immigration officer will conduct a “short interview,” and you’ll get your passport back. If you don’t agree to any part of the new procedures, you can be denied entry into the country.