Tokyo Prison Revamps Meals as One in Four Inmates Is Foreign

Tokyo's Fuchu Prison is adjusting its meals and living arrangements to accommodate a growing number of foreign inmates. Approximately one in four prisoners at the facility is foreign, with 467 inmates from 61 countries and regions. This makes Fuchu Prison one of the largest facilities for foreign inmates in Japan, with only five prisons nationwide having specialized sections for them.

To manage the diverse religious, cultural, and dietary needs of its inmates, Fuchu Prison has implemented several measures. A dedicated housing area with individual rooms is provided for foreign prisoners, who generally sleep on beds rather than traditional Japanese futons over tatami mats. Meals are prepared by 36 inmates with good disciplinary records, who cook for about 1,700 Japanese and foreign prisoners.

Special attention is given to pork-free meals for religious reasons, vegetarian options, and rice substitutions with bread. The prison also distributes food questionnaires in 28 languages to better understand inmate preferences. Despite these efforts, the food budget is tight, with each inmate receiving a fixed daily allowance of 592.22 yen for three meals.

Rising meat prices have put significant pressure on this budget. While Fuchu Prison aims to accommodate foreign inmates' needs, it also emphasizes the importance of integrating them into Japanese-style meals to avoid resentment among Japanese inmates and maintain security and fairness.