Seventeen Job market for public policy programme graduates in Japan
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Satoshi P. Watanabe
Abstract
From the perspective of demand shortages for policy professionals in the domestic labour markets in Japan, this chapter examines why graduates of public policy programmes, though well-positioned to make potentially significant contributions to the social health and well-being of the nation, often end up with career mismatches, unable to fully maximize the professional knowledge gained through academic training and to build careers that they aspired to when choosing the field of study. The chapter explains historical structural reforms by the Japanese government as well as indigenous and institutional factors unique to Japanese organisations and human resources practices. It points out the importance for Japanese government agencies, nonprofit organisations, and think-tanks, of creating employment systems where the professional knowledge and skills acquired by these graduates are valued over the course of their careers. Potential career prospects beyond Japan’s borders in multilateral and international organisations are also discussed.
Abstract
From the perspective of demand shortages for policy professionals in the domestic labour markets in Japan, this chapter examines why graduates of public policy programmes, though well-positioned to make potentially significant contributions to the social health and well-being of the nation, often end up with career mismatches, unable to fully maximize the professional knowledge gained through academic training and to build careers that they aspired to when choosing the field of study. The chapter explains historical structural reforms by the Japanese government as well as indigenous and institutional factors unique to Japanese organisations and human resources practices. It points out the importance for Japanese government agencies, nonprofit organisations, and think-tanks, of creating employment systems where the professional knowledge and skills acquired by these graduates are valued over the course of their careers. Potential career prospects beyond Japan’s borders in multilateral and international organisations are also discussed.
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
