Japan's tourism industry is watching the move closely amid efforts to boost the country's low visitor levels.

The new measures, approved by Parliament last year, are expected to take effect on Nov 20, said a Justice Ministry official.

All foreigners aged 16 or older will be photographed and fingerprinted electronically when they enter Japan. Permanent residents will be exempt from the law, along with state guests and diplomats.

The information will be stored for potential criminal investigations.

The government says the measures are necessary to tighten security in Japan, which was alarmed by allegations that French Muslim militant Lionel Dumont entered on a forged passport and raised money for extremists.

But opposition lawmakers and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations have expressed concern that the measures may infringe on privacy.

The Korean Residents Union, which represents Japan-born Koreans loyal to Seoul, says the Bill promotes the view that all foreigners are criminals. Its members are not subject to the law.

Japan hosts over 40,000 US soldiers, who are also exempt from the new rules.

It has been threatened in Al-Qaeda statements over its deployment of troops on a humanitarian mission to Iraq.

Japan, which has a low crime rate, does not require visas for short stays from citizens of most developed countries, but it imposes strict restrictions on immigration.

On Monday, Tokyo also implemented new rules for air travel, the Asahi Shimbun reported. The revised regulations prohibit the inflight use at any time of electronic devices with communications functions, including wireless computer mouses, watches with wireless functions and Nintendo DS video game consoles.

Battery-operated rechargers that generate strong electromagnetic waves, Global Positioning System receivers and voice- or touch-sensitive toys were also added to the list of devices prohibited from use during take-off and landing.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE