Had an issue checking-in at the hotel, not helped by my poor Japanese language skills and strong belief in personal data privacy, but they copied my Zairyu Card without permission then threatened to refuse our stay. I'm just looking for some clarification whether my understanding of the law is correct here and who was in the right/wrong here?
So, we arrived at the hotel and started checking-in, they gave us a form to fill out our details and then asked to see our ID, we produced our zairyu cards and handed them over. Normally at this point the many hotels we've stayed at in Japan either seem to know they should not photocopy the card and just cross check the info before giving it back, or they think that because we are foreigners (despite being residents) they still need to copy the ID. HOWEVER, the hotels previously have always asked permission to photocopy our zairyu cards and I usually refuse which has always been okay with the hotels.
This time, without any words at all the staff member disappeared into the back room and photocopied it. When they came back I said I had not given permission for that and it was my understanding that whilst they are legally required to take every guests details and ask for proof of identity for their register, it is against the law to photocopy a resident's zairyu card (foreign or not) without permission. Then ensued a 10 minute debate where they insisted they need the photocopy. Another Japanese guest jumped in to help and said "every hotel needs to photocopy foreigner's ID if you're not a resident" I told them yes I know but we are residents. He translated it back to the hotel staff who contributed to insist. The manager then came out, raised his voice at me, told me to move out of the way so they could check other guests in (this was not the only check-in counter), I refused to move aside and requested my issue be dealt with now to which he then grabbed me by the arm and physically tried to move me out of the way. This did nothing as I'm a foot taller than him and I suddenly told him "do not touch me" to which he apologized.
The Japanese guest tried to help again and translated for me that I believe by Japanese law the hotel is not legally required or allowed to photocopy my zairyu card without my permission. The manager said "hotel policy comes before Japanese law". I checked with the helper that I heard that correctly that he believes the hotel is above the law and he confirmed the manager said that. The manager then said "no photocopy, no stay" and finally that the local police had instructed them that all foreigner's IDs must be copied, resident or not.
Being tired from the journey, aware of the increased stigma of being foreign and causing problems, little Japanese language skills, a public scene now unfolding, and in the mountains with the hotel pre-paid and non-refunable… I relented and allowed them to keep the photocopy. In return they agreed to destroy it when we leave, which I don't believe, but if that's they case why they need it at all???
Sigh. Feel like I'm just adding fuel to the anti-foreigner fire by standing my ground.
by Nero-is-Missing