Support groups for former prison inmates will open an izakaya pub Friday in Tokyo's Kabukicho entertainment district as part of efforts to help them secure stable employment.

Ex-cons often have a hard time finding stable jobs after doing their time behind bars — partly because of social stigma against them and their lack of strength to carry on — and many of them commit crimes again.

Through the latest attempt, the support groups hope to help improve the situation by giving them an opportunity to learn work skills.

Tokyo-based Re-challenge Support Association, headed by lawyer Tsutomu Hotta, is leading the project, while three ex-inmates supported by another group, Nihon Kakekomidera, will work as employees at the eatery, which is named Shinjuku Kakekomi Gyoza.

All three have been convicted and served time for committing theft and inflicting injuries, according to the support groups.

Hidemori Gen, the head of Nihon Kakekomidera, said he hopes the latest attempt will some day lead to the rise of business entrepreneurs with prison experience.

Initially, those employees will focus on dish-washing and other work in the kitchen but could be promoted to assistant chefs, depending on their progress, the groups said.

"Even a man like me still has a place to work and serve the society. It's a great feeling," said a 72-year-old former inmate who was released from jail last November. He is one of the three who will start working at the restaurant.

Asked if customers might fault him over his criminal past, the ex-inmate said the new work has given him the strength to handle such things.

"Now I can just let it go," he said.