Analysis of Changes in Independent Administrative Institutions in Japan: From Hashimoto Administration to Second Abe Administration
Tien-Shen Li, Manabu Terayama
Abstract
Under traditional administrative arrangements, the executive branch has the dual role of policymaking and implementation. Since the 1980s, many democracies have adopted the concept of New Public Management (NPM) and established a wide range of executive agencies that work at arm’s length from the government. These agencies are designed to focus on policy implementation free from political interference. The United Kingdom is one of the most notable examples of the application of NPM in public policy. Japan’s promotion of “agencification” began under the administration of Ryutaro Hashimoto. Hashimoto established the Administrative Reform Council, which proposed the establishment of Independent Administrative Institutions (IAIs) based on the experience of the United Kingdom. The system of IAIs was then subject to considerable changes during the Koizumi administration and the second Abe administration. This study considers the development of IAIs as a continuous and dynamic process. In this regard, this study analyzes the reasons for and processes of the changes in IAIs. These experiences provide a useful reference for administrative reform in Taiwan.
Keywords: Independent Administrative Institution; executive agency; agencification; institutional change