A Study of Japan’s Local Administration System: A Political Economic Perspective
Introduction
The politics in the world seems to be the most influential aspect in each country. It appears that under the politics, the society can be aligned by the existing laws and regulations. The policies being implemented across the country is also important to increase the ability of a country in terms of economic perspective. However, the politics in each country should manifests in the ability of the local administration to implement the policies in the local or domestic settings.
Background of the Study
Japan’s position in the World indicates the effectiveness of its local administration system towards the economic growth. Prior to the World War II, local governments contributed little as they had been treated as administrative arms (Charles 1989). Furthermore, Japan as a leader of the East Asian region, a rational study of its local administration will be helpful to structure the local administration of neighbor countries.
Problem Statements
Upon the review on the background of the local administration system in Japan, there are two interrelated questions identified that can serve as the propeller of the proposal.
· What are the ideas that lie towards the effectiveness of the local administration system in Japan that can be applied in other countries?
· What are the applied theories or models applied in the Japan’s local administration system?
Research Aim and Objectives
The main aim of the study is to investigate the local government administration system as the core of the economic growth of a country. In order to achieve the aim of the study, there are four objectives identified. First is by focusing on the functioning of the local administration, particularly in the local administration system of Japan. Second is to determine the effectiveness of the local administration system in the country. Third is to identify the practices or methods used in the administration system that can increase the competency of the country. And fourth is to recognize the perception of the citizens in the local administration system implemented in the country.
Research Questions
The study also identified the four core questions which will be the focus of the study.
1. What are the functions of the local administration and its essence in the political framework in the country?
2. What is the effectiveness of the local administration system implemented in Japan as compared to other countries?
3. What are the practices or methods that are utilized in the local administration system?
4. What are the perceptions or benefits received by the people/citizens in the local administration system implemented in the country?
Significance of the Study
The significance of the study is to deliver the benefits on the student of the Political Economy. There will receive the chance and learn more about the interaction between the central and the local government administrations that are both implemented in each countries. Through examining the existing local administration system in Japan, the student can gain the essential ideas from the principles of politics towards the economic perspective.
Literature Review
Generally, Japan has a cooperative and effective approach towards the local management. Japan’s political-economic structure is also concentrated in the social norms and culture. The national government continues to exert significant influence on local governmental measures because it takes the initiative in national planning that will take effect in the local administration system. The central government intervenes in the local administration by using subsidies as a means and by making instructions. The national government also plays an important role in determining the effectiveness of local level operations. In addition to establishing the overall legislative and regulatory framework for all domestic policies, it provides financial assistance to local governments through its power to subsidize and issue bonds for environmental monitoring, research and development and local public works. It also helps small and medium-scale enterprises install pollution control facilities smoothly and assists in technology development. Assisting local governments financially has in practice been highly effective in furthering national policy. Local administration in Japan has for many years depended heavily upon a financing system in which the national government provides funds to compensate for local variations in revenue raising ability.
Methodology
The applied method in the study is the use of the comparative case studies. The materials that can be used in the study are books, journals, articles, and reliable online libraries. From these materials, the information are collected and assessed according to the objectives of the study. Through comparing the political framework and analyzing the local administration system of Japan and other countries (can be Western or in Asia), the study can definitely understand the connection of the local administration system to the entire political and economic perspective.
References:
Kansai Economic Federation (2009) Enhance Japan’s presence in the world and trust from the global community Requests for Japan’s New Administration [Online] Available at: http://www.kankeiren.or.jp/English/topics/pdf/policy_proposal090902.pdf [Accessed 30 November 2010].
Lee, A., (2004) Section 3. Local Administration, Cultural Autonomy: Japan [Online] Available at: http://english.cca.gov.tw/public/Attachment/411315212371.pdf [Accessed 30 November 2010].
Ren, Y., (2000) Japanese Approaches to Environmental Management: Structural and Institutional Features, International Review for Environmental Strategies, 1(1) [Online] Available at: http://enviroscope.iges.or.jp/modules/envirolib/upload/405/attach/079_96_ren.pdf [Accessed 30 November 2010].
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment