Policy Implications of Administrative Reform

Abstract

In March 1981, an advisory body, the Provisional Commission on Administrative Reform (Rinji Gyõsei Chōsakai abbreviated as Rinchō) was set up in the Prime Minister’s Office. According to its Establishment Law, the Commission was to consist of nine members who were appointed by the prime minister with the consent of the Diet from among ‘persons having knowledge and sound judgement concerning the problem of administrative reform’.¹ In practice, the membership consisted of three members from the business world (including the chairman, Dokō Toshio), two from labour unions, two from the Civil Service (former administrative vice-ministers of the Ministries of Finance and Home Affairs), one from journalism and one from the academic world. In carrying out their duties, the above-mentioned members were assisted by expert members, twenty-one in all, many of whom came from the business world. As the word ‘Provisional’ suggests, the duration of the Commission was limited, in fact, to two years. The Commission presented five reports to the prime minister in the two years of its existence, and was dissolved in May 1983.