Two Beyond a formal approach? Seeking adequate policy analysis in Japan
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Sukehiro Hosono
Abstract
Formal policy analysis including cost-benefit analysis and quantitative policy equation system such as macroeconomic simulation model can be expected to be a strong and high performing analytical tool for a long time in developed countries. Cost-benefit analysis has been widely utilized with minor importance, but other formal approaches especially macroeconomic modelling and simulation have only had a narrow role for policy formation or policy making process in Japan. This paper considers the reasons why such formal analysis has been only restricted to exploit in policy making process from economic, political and historical points of view, and suggests making use of formal policy analysis more especially macroeconomic model approach with the Cabinet real coordination and international practical cooperation in order to fix public finance failure and to increase transparency of policy formation process in Japan.
Abstract
Formal policy analysis including cost-benefit analysis and quantitative policy equation system such as macroeconomic simulation model can be expected to be a strong and high performing analytical tool for a long time in developed countries. Cost-benefit analysis has been widely utilized with minor importance, but other formal approaches especially macroeconomic modelling and simulation have only had a narrow role for policy formation or policy making process in Japan. This paper considers the reasons why such formal analysis has been only restricted to exploit in policy making process from economic, political and historical points of view, and suggests making use of formal policy analysis more especially macroeconomic model approach with the Cabinet real coordination and international practical cooperation in order to fix public finance failure and to increase transparency of policy formation process in Japan.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xi
- Policy analysis in Japan: the state of the art 1
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Styles and Methods of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Historical background of policy analysis in Japan 15
- Beyond a formal approach? Seeking adequate policy analysis in Japan 27
- Policy research movements in local governments 41
- Policy analysis and normative theory: with a focus on social security policies 57
- Law and public policy in contemporary Japan 73
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Policy Analysis in Japanese Governments
- Policy analysis and the policy process in Japanese government 91
- In-house think tanks of ministries: their functions and limitations in policy formulation 103
- A policy analysis of the Japanese Diet from the perspective of ‘Legislative Supporting Agencies’ 123
- Councils, policy analysis and policy evaluation 139
- Local governments and policy analysis in Japan after the Second World War 149
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Parties, Interest Groups and Advocacy-Based Policy Analysis
- Policy analysis and policymaking by Japanese political parties 165
- Business associations and labour unions 185
- Current state of non-profit organizations and the ‘New Public Commons’ 199
- Think tanks and policy analysis: meeting the challenges of think tanks in Japan 215
- Policy analysis in the mass media 235
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Future Directions of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Policy education in Japan: a study of professional graduate public policy schools 251
- Job market for public policy programme graduates in Japan 271
- Conclusion: future directions of the theory and practice of public policy analysis in Japan 289
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xi
- Policy analysis in Japan: the state of the art 1
-
Styles and Methods of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Historical background of policy analysis in Japan 15
- Beyond a formal approach? Seeking adequate policy analysis in Japan 27
- Policy research movements in local governments 41
- Policy analysis and normative theory: with a focus on social security policies 57
- Law and public policy in contemporary Japan 73
-
Policy Analysis in Japanese Governments
- Policy analysis and the policy process in Japanese government 91
- In-house think tanks of ministries: their functions and limitations in policy formulation 103
- A policy analysis of the Japanese Diet from the perspective of ‘Legislative Supporting Agencies’ 123
- Councils, policy analysis and policy evaluation 139
- Local governments and policy analysis in Japan after the Second World War 149
-
Parties, Interest Groups and Advocacy-Based Policy Analysis
- Policy analysis and policymaking by Japanese political parties 165
- Business associations and labour unions 185
- Current state of non-profit organizations and the ‘New Public Commons’ 199
- Think tanks and policy analysis: meeting the challenges of think tanks in Japan 215
- Policy analysis in the mass media 235
-
Future Directions of Policy Analysis in Japan
- Policy education in Japan: a study of professional graduate public policy schools 251
- Job market for public policy programme graduates in Japan 271
- Conclusion: future directions of the theory and practice of public policy analysis in Japan 289
- Index 303
