Policy Analysis in Japan

"An excellent academic book that should be read deeply, thoroughly and comprehensively in order to understand policy making in Japan." Professor Yang, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan

"A marvellous work, introducing readers to their terra incognita of Japanese public policy analysis. The beauty of the volume is the comprehensive and concise coverage of concepts, methods and substantive topics of public policy analysis as practiced in Japan. A must-read for public policy analysts and laymen alike." Professor Takashi Inoguchi, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

"Ministries with professional bureaucracies and dedicated think tanks undoubtedly contributed to Japanese post-war development. The distinguished editors of this volume make a strong case that Japanese public policy would now benefit from both increased policy analysis capability within the ministries and greater participation from policy analysts in the broader society." Professor David L Weimer, University of Wisconsin - Madison

"This book of essays on Japan is an especially important contribution to the study of comparative policy analysis, allowing policy scholars to understand the evolution of the field in Japan, but also to focus on the ways in which policy knowledge and practices travel." Frank Fischer, Professor of Politics and Global Affairs, Rutgers University, USA

"A novel and comprehensive undertaking in synthesising the state of knowledge of policy analysis." Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration

Yukio Adachi is Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University, and Professor of Public Policy at Kyoto Sangyo University. His academic background is in political philosophy.

Sukehiro Hosono is Dean at Chuou University, and President of the Japan Association of Planning and Public Management. He serves the Advisory Committees of the Ministry of Finance.

Jun Iio is Professor of Political Science at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan. He has served various advisory committees of Japanese Government.

Introduction Policy Analysis in Japan: The State of the Art ~ Yukio Adachi;

Part I: Styles and Methods of Policy Analysis in Japan;

Historical Background of Policy Analysis in Japan ~ Jun Iio;

Beyond a Formal Approach?: Seeking Adequate Policy Analysis in Japan ~ Sukehiro Hosono;

Policy Research Movement in Local Governments ~ Kimie Tsuchiyama'

Policy Analysis and Normative Theory: With a Focus on Social Security Policies ~ Wataru Sano;

Law and public policy in contemporary Japan ~ Makoto Usami;

Part II: Policy Analysis in Japanese Governments;

Policy Analysis and Policy Process in Japanese Government ~ Jun Iio;

In-House Think Tanks of Ministries: Their Functions and Limitations in Policy Formulation ~ Hideaki Tanaka;

A Policy Analysis of the Japanese Diet from the Perspective of ‘Legislative Supporting Agencies’ ~ Jun Makita;

Councils, Policy Analysis and Policy Evaluation ~ Kiyoshi Yamaya;

Local Governments and Policy Analysis in Japan after World War II ~ Toshiyuki Kanai;

Part III: Parties, Interest Group, Advocacy-Based Policy Analysis;

Policy Analysis and Policymaking by Japanese Political Parties ~ Takahiro Suzuki;

Business Associations and Labor Unions ~ Takao Akiyoshi;

Current State of NPOs and the “New Public Commons” ~ Takafumi Tanaka;

Think Tanks and Policy Analysis: Meeting the Challenges of Think ~ Tanks in Japan ~ Mika Shimizu;

Policy Analysis in the Mass Media ~ Hirotsugu Koike;

Part IV: Future Directions of Policy Analysis in Japan;

Policy Education in Japan: A Study of Professional Graduate Public Policy Schools ~ Koichiro Agata;

Job Market for Public Policy Program Graduates in Japan ~ Satoshi P. Watanabe;

Conclusion: Future Directions of the Theory and Practice of Public Policy Analysis in Japan ~ Yukio Adachi.