
Decision-Making Reform in Japan
The DPJ's Failed Attempt at a Politician-Led Government
Karol Zakowski(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 26. May 2015
Book
Hardback
233 pages
978-1-138-85556-4 (ISBN)
Description
In the election to the House of Representatives in 2009, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) almost tripled the number of its lower house members by winning 308 seats. It subsequently formed a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party. The new ruling party promised to completely overhaul policymaking mechanisms that had been shaped over the past decades. Yet, the Japanese people quickly felt disappointed with the DPJ's 'policymaking engineering'.
Examining the evolution of the decision-making process in Japan under the DPJ administration between the years 2009-2012, this book offers a multidimensional explanation for the reasons for the DPJ's failure in producing effective policymaking mechanisms. Implementing conceptual tools borrowed from historical institutionalism, the author explains why the Democrats displayed inflexibility in introducing selected elements of the Westminster system, incoherence in regard to many aspects of the decision-making reform, and unwillingness to take advantage of all of the institutional resources at their disposal. The book argues that the examination of the DPJ's origins and interactions with other parties is crucial in understanding its misconceptions regarding the institutional model, policy vision, and institutional tools required for a durable change in policymaking patterns.
Illustrating its argument with a range of case studies, this book explains why, ultimately, the DPJ's concept of a politician-led government resulted in failure. It will also be helpful in understanding the prerequisites for the success of institutional reforms in general. As such it will be of interest to students and scholars of Japanese studies, Political science, Asian studies.
Examining the evolution of the decision-making process in Japan under the DPJ administration between the years 2009-2012, this book offers a multidimensional explanation for the reasons for the DPJ's failure in producing effective policymaking mechanisms. Implementing conceptual tools borrowed from historical institutionalism, the author explains why the Democrats displayed inflexibility in introducing selected elements of the Westminster system, incoherence in regard to many aspects of the decision-making reform, and unwillingness to take advantage of all of the institutional resources at their disposal. The book argues that the examination of the DPJ's origins and interactions with other parties is crucial in understanding its misconceptions regarding the institutional model, policy vision, and institutional tools required for a durable change in policymaking patterns.
Illustrating its argument with a range of case studies, this book explains why, ultimately, the DPJ's concept of a politician-led government resulted in failure. It will also be helpful in understanding the prerequisites for the success of institutional reforms in general. As such it will be of interest to students and scholars of Japanese studies, Political science, Asian studies.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
14 s/w Abbildungen, 14 s/w Zeichnungen, 4 s/w Tabellen
4 Tables, black and white; 14 Line drawings, black and white; 14 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
549 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-138-85556-4 (9781138855564)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Karol Zakowski
Decision-Making Reform in Japan
The DPJ's Failed Attempt at a Politician-Led Government
Book
06/2017
1st Edition
Routledge
€77.00
Shipment within 10-20 days

Karol Zakowski
Decision-Making Reform in Japan
The DPJ's Failed Attempt at a Politician-Led Government
E-Book
04/2015
Routledge
€69.99
Available for download

Karol Zakowski
Decision-Making Reform in Japan
The DPJ's Failed Attempt at a Politician-Led Government
E-Book
04/2015
Routledge
€69.99
Available for download
Person
Karol Zakowski is an Assistant Professor at the Department of East Asian Studies, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz, Poland. His research focuses on decision-making processes in Japanese politics and Sino-Japanese relations.
Content
Introduction 1. The Decision-Making Process under the LDP Administration and the DPJ's Plans of Reforms 2. The Hatoyama Government: Attempt at Creating a New Order 3. The Kan Government: Limits of Reforms 4. The Noda Government: Return to the Old Practices? 5.Summary and Conclusions