Japan may confiscate passports of those going to danger zones

Tokyo, May 27 (IANS/EFE) The Japanese government plans to confiscate passports from citizens planning to travel to areas considered dangerous, national media reported on Wednesday.

This, it is felt, will help avoid repetition of an incident in which two Japanese were kidnapped and executed by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

A recommendation, in a report prepared by a panel of experts appointed by the ministry of foreign affairs, could form the basis for modifying Japanese legislation, according to Kyodo news agency.

The recommendation proposes generally the withdrawal of passports from citizens planning to travel to dangerous areas, a move that was made specifically and for the first time almost four months ago in the case of a Japanese photographer who wished to travel to Syria.

On February 7, the Japanese government confiscated the passport of freelance reporter Yuichi Sugimoto on the grounds of protecting his life.

This controversial move was made after the IS kidnapped and decapitated two Japanese men, including a journalist, in Syria, and threatened to kill Japanese citizens "wherever they are".

The controversial recommendation is based on Article 19 of the Japanese passport law, which justifies the seizure of a passport to protect a person's life.

However, withdrawal of passports could also infringe on the principle of freedom of movement, a principle addressed in the Japanese Constitution, according to the report of the panel of experts.

--IANS/EFE

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