Discussions on the plan were prompted by the escape of a 27-year-old prisoner from a dockyard workplace at such a prison in Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, in early April.
But it is not easy to decide how much surveillance should be strengthened, as the facilities are designed to help rehabilitation through prison work in an open environment, sources familiar with the situation said.
Despite a police dragnet spread on a small island where he is believed likely to be hiding, the inmate has been on the run since he escaped from the Oi workplace, located within a commercial shipbuilding yard, of the Matsuyama prison on April 8.
The shipbuilding yard has 20 model inmates who were not convicted of serious crimes including murder. The fugitive was imprisoned for crimes including theft.
News On Japan - Nov 26
Panicked passengers on a Shinkansen bullet train were evacuated at a central Japan station on Friday night, after a plastic bag containing suspicious liquid was found onboard.
Reuters - Nov 26
Japan detected the first case of highly pathogenic H5-type bird flu this season at a poultry farm in the south of the country, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Inui Street, the famed autumn walk within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, opened to the public from Saturday.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Tofukuji Temple, home to 2,000 maple trees and renowned as one of Kyoto's premier autumn hotspots, features the Tsutenkyo Bridge, and the breathtaking 'sea of autumn leaves'.
News On Japan - Nov 24
The amount of undeclared income by wealthy people in Japan has reached a record high of 98 billion yen, among the worst offenders being scrap gold wholesalers, breeders and yakiniku restaurants, the National Tax Agency announced on Friday.
Total Film - Nov 24
After hitting the big screen in its native Japan on November 3, Godzilla Minus One is about to make its way overseas – and it's a hit with international critics.
News On Japan - Nov 23
Russians continue to be the worst offenders among cars with foreign diplomatic number plates when it comes to not paying off parking fines in Japan.
News On Japan - Nov 23
As Kyoto's autumn foliage reaches its peak, swarms of tourists have converged on the ancient capital, captivated by stunning displays like Wednesday evening's illumination at Kiyomizu Temple.