Minister sorry for fruitless thief hunt

TOKYO - A Japanese minister apologized on Tuesday over the escape of a "model" inmate who fled an open prison more than a week ago, as the number of police hunting him passed 6,000.

About 6,600 police officers are now engaged in a fruitless manhunt for 27-year-old Tatsuma Hirao, who was serving time for multiple thefts, according to officials.

The case is making headline news in Japan, with television channels picking over the manhunt in minute detail.