They will have their pictures and fingerprints taken on entering the country from November 20.

But, travel agents believe the measures will not deter Hong Kong people from going to Japan.

According to the Japanese immigration authorities, about 350,000 Hong Kongers visited Japan last year and 290,000 in 2005. The number has been rising since Tokyo granted Hong Kong SAR passport holders visa-free access for visits of up to 90 days in April 2004.

Officials of Japan's Ministry of Justice officials were in Hong Kong yesterday to explain the new procedure to local travel agencies and the media.

Shoko Sasaki, director of the ministry's data office, said the system will not inconvenience visitors. "We're trying to shorten the time required," he said. "If everything runs smoothly, it's expected to take less than 30 seconds. But if some fingerprints are difficult to read, it may take longer."

Suehiro Keiichi of Hong Kong Evergloss Tours also said he believed the measures will not affect the number of Hong Kong people visiting Japan.

"They [visitors] may feel it's safer to travel as the system protects both the people of Japan as well as tourists," he said.

"As for the privacy issue, since there're lots of personal data given in passports anyway, I believe people interested in travelling won't think the new system is an invasion of privacy."

His only concern is that elderly people might find the new measures confusing, but they will explain details to customers when they buy tours to Japan.

According to Sasaki, visitors using any of the 150 Japanese customs checkpoints by sea or by air will be asked to place their two index fingers on a fingerprint reading machine after they have submitted their passports and entry cards to immigration officers.

A special device used to read biometrics information will instruct them as an electronic picture of their face is taken at the same time.

The data will be used by law enforcement authorities to compare with a database of suspected terrorists or those who have been previously deported by Japan.

More than 500 such devices will be installed at every customs checkpoint.

The new policy is slated to come into force on November 20, but Sasaki said the date is subject to change.

Japanese authorities will also distribute leaflets, postcards and DVDs to explain the measures to visitors.

People who may be exempted from having their fingerprints taken are those with special permanent residency, teenagers below 16, diplomats on official visits and those invited by the head of any ministry of the Japanese government.

Japan recorded 8.1 million foreign visitors last year, and expects the number to reach 10 million by 2010.