CBC News
Japan's cabinet has given final approval to a plan to fingerprint and photograph all adult foreigners entering the country, six years after the country dropped a similar requirement because of privacy concerns.

Cabinet made the decision Wednesday, a day after its parliament's Upper House approved a bill toughening security measures.

Fingerprints are displayed on a U.S. Customs computer screen as travellers from Japan wait to enter the United States after arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport in 2004. The United States began requiring visitors from some of its allies be fingerprinted and photographed as they arrive.
(Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press)
Among other measures in the same bill:

Japan's justice minister will be able to expel foreigners who are suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.
Airlines and ship lines will have to provide passenger and crew lists before they arrive in Japan.
Japan's lower house approved the bill in March. Now that it's been approved by cabinet, its measures are expected to take effect in November 2007.

After that date, in order to enter the country, those born outside Japan and aged 16 or older will have to agree to be photographed and have electronic images of their fingerprints taken.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/05/17/fingerprints-japan.html