November 20th 2007 will be remembered as the day when Japan entered its second period of isolation (sakoku). From today all foreigners entering Japan are required to submit their fingerprints and face photo on entry into the country at immigration control. This is part of the anti-terrorism law which was passed after 9-11. The new controls seem to suggest that all terrorists will be non-Japanese (rather strange considering recent history here, which is so often conveniently forgotten. I think The Japanese Red Army who committed a number of murders, bombings and hijackings in the 1970s were Japanese as were members of the Aum Supreme Truth sect who released sarin gas on Tokyo subways in 1995...). The sad part of this is that Japan will be the only other country on the earth apart from the United States that operates this policy for immigration.
Other things which make me think that Japan is entering an age of sakoku are: the recent illness and coma of Japan national soccer coach Osim; the departure of the first and only non Japanese museum Director in Japan, David Elliott, from the Mori Museum last year; Micropop artists; the closure of NOVA english schools recently due to scandal; the continuing rifts with neighbor countries and Okinawa over history text books, amongst other things.
So, next time you enter Japan, wash your finger tips and put on a brave face. You will be entered into a vast database of identities, forever. Cheezu.
Recent Comments