This article explores the evolution of Japan's political system, focusing on the interplay between bureaucratic influence and elected officials. It examines how the postwar period, marked by the dominance of the bureaucracy, particularly the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Finance, shaped Japan's economic trajectory. The article highlights the pivotal role of figures like Tanaka Kakuei, and the eventual decline of bureaucratic power in the face of economic crises and the rise of a new generation of politicians.
Japan's political landscape, while seemingly democratic, has been deeply intertwined with its bureaucratic structure. The post-World War II era saw a unique configuration where the civil service, particularly the elite cadre of bureaucrats often hailing from prestigious universities like Tokyo University, held considerable sway. This was particularly true until 2009. The article argues that the bureaucratic apparatus, particularly the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Finance, effectively controlled the nation's budget, taxation, and industrial policies. This period, from the end of World War II to the early 1970s, witnessed remarkable economic growth, heavily reliant on MITI's policy guidance and the Ministry of Finance's financial backing.
The 1970s brought a pivotal shift. Figures like Tanaka Kakuei, a self-made politician who lacked a traditional academic background, began to challenge the entrenched bureaucratic power structure. While initially successful, the late 1970s and early 1980s saw the seeds of the bureaucratic decline planted. The Plaza Accord of 1985, a landmark agreement among major industrialized nations to depreciate the US dollar, created a significant economic crisis in Japan. The accord, largely attributed to the Ministry of Finance's policies, led to a significant loss of public trust in the bureaucracy. This marked a turning point, initiating the decline of the bureaucratic establishment's unquestioned authority.
The period from the Plaza Accord to around 2009 saw a constant tension between the bureaucratic elite and a new generation of politicians. Stories like the criticisms leveled against the Ministry of Health and Welfare bureaucrats by politicians like菅直人 (Susumu Sugiyama) highlight this dynamic. The bureaucratic apparatus, while still influential, faced increasing scrutiny and challenges to its traditional dominance. This period was characterized by a struggle for power between the established bureaucratic networks and a rising generation of political leaders who sought to reform and adapt to changing economic and social conditions.
The article concludes that Japan's political system has undergone a significant transformation. The post-war era's bureaucratic dominance has yielded to a more complex and dynamic relationship between the government's administrative apparatus and elected officials. The interplay between bureaucratic expertise and political will continues to shape Japan's political landscape today, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the nation's future. The narrative underscores the critical role of economic events, like the Plaza Accord, in reshaping the balance of power in Japanese politics.
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