Japan police's decades-long use of old license photos raises privacy-law concerns
By Sachiko Sakamaki ( October 22, 2026, 08:44 GMT | Insight) -- Police in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture used photographs from expired driver's licenses for more than 30 years to identify people suspected of involvement in terrorism and extremist activities, local media reported Thursday. Japan’s National Police Agency chief expressed regret over the practice, which may violate the country’s personal information protection law, and pledged to establish the facts and prevent a recurrence.Police in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture used photographs from expired driver's licenses for more than 30 years to identify people suspected of involvement in terrorism and extremist activities, Japanese media reported Thursday. The revelations prompted a nationwide review amid concerns that the practice may have violated the country's privacy law....
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