New Guidelines for the Promotion of Regional Administrative Reform
｡?n view of the need for further regional reform amid ongoing decentralization and financial restructuring, in November 1997 the Ministry of Home Affairs formulated new guidelines based on the second recommendations by the Committee for the Promotion of Decentralization.
｡?he new guidelines require local authorities to review their administrative reform outlines as early as possible before the end of 1998 considering the intensive period of financial reform; to strengthen the measures they are taking, including the setting of numerical targets; and to be more open to the people as they push further ahead with administrative reform.
<Key points of the new regional administrative reform guidelines>
1. Requirement for further promotion of administrative reform through a review of the
reform outlines and formulation of implementation plans
→Review reform outlines as early as possible before the end of 1998, and formulate the implementation plan for fiscal 1998 during fiscal 1997.
2. Emphasis on specific measures, such as the setting of numerical targets
→Set numerical targets for staff rationalization plans, and where possible, for organizational control, and for the rationalization of subsidies.
3. Emphasis on the promotion of administrative reform with the understanding and cooperation of the people, gained through positive public relations
・Implement a positive public relations program that can be clearly understood by the people (including numerical targets for staff rationalization plans, and wages).
・Ensure equity and improve transparency (rationalization of administrative procedures, provision of information to the public, etc.).
