EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF POLICY CRISIS
(JANUARY 2000-AUGUST 2002) \11,096,642
Since the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s, the Japanese economy has entered a serious downturn, prompting an ongoing debate concerning its recovery. Viewing the economic slowdown as mainly a result of policy crisis and severe policy mismanagement, this project comprises proposals to rejuvenate the economy through substantive analysis from the perspective of political science.
Project Leaders
Kazuo Ogawa (Professor, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University)
Heizo Takenaka (President, The Tokyo Foundation; Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University)
Researchers
Hiroko Ota (Associate Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies)
Ryutaro Kono (Senior Economist, Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute, Inc.)
Atsushi Kusano (Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University)
Hideya Kubo (Deputy General Manager and Chief Economist, Nippon Life Insurance Research Institute)
Atsushi Miyawaki (Professor, Faculty of Law, Hokkaido University)
Haruo Horioka (Editor, Horioka Editorial Office)
Research Assistant
Hisae Takahashi
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON OF LEGAL SYSTEMS
(PHASE I: JUNE 1998-MARCH 2000, PHASE II: APRIL 2000-MARCH 2002) \45,813,516
This project focused on the role of legal systems as economic adjusters in the current era of low economic growth. Through comparative analysis of judicial systems in Japan and other major countries, the project aims to draft a policy proposal on the most desirable judicial system. In Phase I, a comparative analysis of legal systems in Japan and other countries was conducted, and in January 2000, an international symposium was held with legal specialists attending from 10 major countries.
Project Leader
Jiro Tamura (Professor, Faculty of Law, Keio University)
Subleaders
Naoyuki Agawa (Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University)
Tsukasa Miyajima (Professor, Faculty of Law, Keio University)
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
(JULY 1998-MARCH 2000) \12,028,064
This project aims to critique the former Hashimoto administration's organizational and functional reforms and provide an empirical assessment of their effects. Clarifying the nature of the reforms, the project will provide debate on the optimal form of government for the 21st century, with consideration given to the international position of the Japanese government. Policy recommendations were presented in a press release and to members of the Diet. Plans call for publishing the report in Policy Research Series.
Project Leader
Kazuaki Tanaka (Professor, Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Takushoku University)
