The Foreign Ministry called on public offices Monday to ensure that accredited foreign journalists are permitted to attend news conferences.
The written request was made after Japan agreed with the European Union in February to improve its press club system, which has long been criticized for limiting access to government information to member news organizations.
Foreign journalists are often barred from off-the-record meetings at ministries and agencies and in some cases are asked to check with relevant press clubs before being granted access to official news conferences.
The ministry made no reference to allowing foreign journalists to attend unofficial briefings, however.
The request was sent to ministries and agencies, the Diet, the Bank of Japan and local government offices as well as the police.