Comparative Governance Systems: Japanese Policy-Making Process
Faculty
HAYASHI, Ryozo
Credit / Semester / Schedule
2 Credits / Winter Semester / Wednesday Period: 5
Description
The objective of this session is to understand the current policy-making process of Japan from historical perspectives and comparative perspective. While important policy is carried out through either budgetary measures or legislative measures, we will focus on legislative system.
Policy-making process is shaped by the interaction of history, values and institution. After identifying the unique characteristics of these elements in American, British and Japanese system, we will follow how these elements affect each system’s development. Then we compare the pros and cons of each system under specific environment.
Adequate emphasis will be made on the on-going change in Japanese policy-making process.Student will be expected to make joint report on the assigned readings in the class, and to participate in the class discussion. Final report will be the recommendation on the improvement of Japanese legislative process.
Class will be conducted in English. Students are encouraged to actively participate in the class.
Course materials
・ Aoki “Bureaupluralism” Information, incentives, and bargaining in the Japanese economy
・ Komiya & Ito ”Economic Planning and Industrial Policy”The Political Economy of Japan
・ Johnson MITI and the Japanese Miracle
・ Olson The Legislative Process
・ Okimoto Between MITI and Market
・ Curtis Japanese Way of Politics
・ Wolferen The Enigma of Japanese PowerEtc.
Grading
Grading will be based on class participation, presentation and essay.