mytest

FYI: THE AMERICANS GET INVOLVED IN THE NJ FINGERPRINTING ISSUE

Subject: Info. on New Japan Immigrations Entry Procedures eff. from Nov. 20th

Dear SCCJ Member,

Re. New Immigration Entry Procedure, we send you the following mail sent by ACCJ for your information.

**************
Dear ACCJ Member,

As most undoubtedly are aware, this coming week, new immigrations procedures will go into effect in Japan requiring the collection of biometric data (facial photograph and fingerprints) for most foreign citizens entering the country.

Your Transportation and Logistics Committee as well as Board leaders have been working hard with local Immigrations authorities at the international airports as well as the Ministry of Justice, Immigration Bureau.

We believe that the Government of Japan is well aware of the issues of concern to the foreign business community and has worked collaboratively with us to mitigate any major difficulties at the transition. We are committed to closely monitoring implementation and will keep you apprised of any developments.

The following is a recap of measures that will be introduced to ensure that the new procedures are implemented as smoothly as possible:

Narita International Airport – Tokyo: – Add 100 immigration officers during the transition period – Provide dedicated queues for foreigners with re-entry permits – Provide dedicated queues for airline crew members and disabled/ reduced mobility passengers – Offer automated immigration gates in Terminal 1 South Wing and Terminal 2 for pre-registered travelers. Registration is available at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau or the Narita District Office – Install cameras/fingerprint readers at all positions and dynamically expand number of queues available to foreigners – At least initially, allow mixed nationality families with children under the age of 16 and one Japanese parent to use the Japanese passport holder lanes

Central Japan International Airport – Nagoya: – Add 18 immigration officers during the transition period – Provide a dedicated queue for airline crew members and disabled/ reduced mobility passengers – Install cameras/fingerprint readers at all positions and dynamically expand number of queues available to foreigners – At least initially allow mixed nationality families (at least one Japanese parent) to use Japanese passport holder lanes – Consider installing automated immigration gates during 2008

Kansai International Airport – Osaka: – Add immigrations officers (number under study) during transition period – Provide a dedicated queue for airline crew members and disabled/ reduced mobility passengers – Install cameras/fingerprint readers at all positions and dynamically expand number of queues available to foreigners – Consider installing automated immigration gates during 2008 Note: the Kansai region is home to a large number of Korean special permanent residents who will use the Japanese passport holders lanes and are not subject to biometric data collection

Other airports: The U.S. carriers have met with the local immigrations authorities and believe that because a high percentage of passengers using these secondary airports, foreign citizens will encounter few problems.

Airlines: – Will actively advise foreign arriving passengers of the new procedures–onboard videos and/or announcements – Will actively encourage/monitor completion of Embarkation/ Disembarkation forms to minimize secondary queuing of passengers

If you have any questions or wish to provide feedback, please direct an email to the Transportation and Logistic Committee.

Sincerely,

Charles Duncan and Masamichi Ujiie,
Co-Chairs Transportation and Logistics Committee (Sent by ACCJ Communications)

****************************
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan – SCCJ
6-12 Kioicho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094
Tel: 03-5211-2101 Fax: 03-5211-2102 http://www.sccj.org
****************************
ENDS