Interesting People mailing list archives

IP: Re: National ID, ID cards and poorly written privacy bill a hugeblow to Japan


From: David Farber <dfarber () earthlink net>
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 06:28:56 -0500

From: Gohsuke Takama

(a bit late follow up. I was in SFO-TYO flight, just got out immigration at
Narita) 

In addition to these Privacy bill and National ID Numbering bill, a set of
bills on Emergency Mobilization that currently in Japan's Diet is another
big concern. That Emergency means war time. It will enable to allow Japan's
Self Defence Force and possiblly the US military under the name of support
to use any part of land in Japan and private property for their operation.
It also includes penalty provision to refusal of cooperation. 

With the combination of Privacy bill, National ID Numbering bill, Wiretap
bill, and Emergency Mobilization bills, the goverment is able to collect
personal information, identify the person, secretly monitor the person's
communication, to punish and eliminate the person if not cooperate, and to
suppress news media to release the goverment's actions. This set will
effectively destroy the foundation of democracy. 

(Some rumor says Emergency Mobilization bills are now pushed to move fast
in the diet by presure from the US GWB administration for making them
easier to use Japanese islands when the US is going to strike North Korea.
)

also, I won't be surprised if Japan's National ID card acceptance may be
used as a successful story by other coutries to deploy. 

For archives see:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/


Current thread: