Abstract
The essence of Japanese government authority can be perceived by understanding the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and how it functions. It is generally considered to be the single most powerful entity in the national government, and a coveted political post. It exerts its influence over all other ministries as a principal instrument of the Cabinet to press its policies and initiatives, and it is a powerful counterfoil to balance off the demands of the professional staffs of the other ministries, primarily through its control of the budget. This influence also extends down into prefectures and municipalities because of the heavy flow of funds from the national government, all of which must be approved by the Ministry of Finance.
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© 1989 Charles F. Bingman
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Bingman, C.F. (1989). Exercising Central Government Authority: the Ministry of Finance. In: Japanese Government Leadership and Management. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-19646-3_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-19646-3_3
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-46255-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-19646-3
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