Tuesday, 26 August, 2003

Safety is next Article here from ther NYT on Japan's adoption of a National Computer Identification System (I wonder how you say that in Japanese? The article uses the name Juki net) Offhand I don't know if Japan has anything like a Social Security number, or a system of prefecture controlled photo id driver's licenses, so its hard to tell how different this is. I have a notion that this may be viewed as a beta for something we may see rolled out it the U S before long. In the past few days I have seen an article describing a Barcode/db system intended to cover all merchant marine sailors across the world. And another to cover resident aliens and visa holders crossing US borders. In the words of Home Affairs Minister Katayama: It's questionable to me whether detractors of the system really understand the point,'' Katayama said in a weekend television appearance. ``It means more convenience for citizens and a more efficient bureaucracy. Sign me up. ._._. pb _._ Japan Launches National ID System. A national computerized ID system that was criticized for its big-brother overtones became fully operational today, assigning Japan's 126 million citizens with an 11-digit number. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: Technology] 9:59:12 AM    comment [];trackback [];

© Copyright 2003 Paul Bushmiller. Last update: 9/05/03; 10:41:19.