As part of its response to soaring traffic fatality rates, the Japanese government enacted laws to criminalize certain traffic offenses, to increase the level of penalization, and to extend the rigor of law enforcement. Traffic violations are classified either as professional negligence resulting in death or injury or as violations of road traffic laws. The first category is treated less seriously than other criminal offenses, but convicted offenders are likely to draw a prison sentence. Policymakers adopted innovative approaches for imprisoned traffic offenders in order to gain greater public tolerance for the reforms. Ichihara combines treatment, safe-driving instruction and industrial activity for its inmates. As Japan's only open prison, Ichihara challenges the principle of containment, relies on inmates to act responsibly without strict surveillance, and recognizes the inmates' potential for constructive behavior after their release. This attitude is apparent in the prison's architecture and other features of the physical environment. 3 notes and 28 references