Japan to ban hooligans from entering the country during World cup. (19.10.2001)
An authority of the Japanese justice ministry have said, Japan may ban any one with a rioting record. The announcement came as the country hurries to revise the immigration law before the World Cup next May.
"We are targeting people who knock people over or wreck buildings or streets," said a justice ministry official.
He said the new law would apply to anyone punished for rioting or being involved in violent protests with sentences of less than a year`s imprisonment.
Current Japanese law prevents the entry -- and allows the deportation -- of those sentenced to more than one year in jail, the official said.
At a time of heightened global sensitivity to terrorism, the law will likely be welcomed, a Japanese expert on
international law said.
The revision will also allow the deportation of fans arrested for rowdiness once they arrive in Japan.
"We have to put an end to hooliganism, if it erupts, as soon as possible," the official said.
At the same time, the ministry is drafting revisions to allow the deportation of those involved in organized crimes such as burglary or passport forgery -- relatively skilled crimes that have a high incidence of repeat offenders -- that carry sentences under one year.
The ministry will try to submit the bill before the end of the current 72-day session of the Japanese Parliament, which began Sept. 27, so it can be enacted before the 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Japan and South Korea, starts next May.
