Karol Zakowski - Gradual Institutional Change in Japan

This book analyses institutional reforms implemented by Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinz, under his second administration from 2012 to 2020. Also examined is the evolution in the role of such actors in Japanese politics as bureaucrats, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) factions, and backbenchers of the ruling party.

Chapters offer multi-dimensional explanations for the preconditions of successful gradual institutional change in political systems, characterized by relatively strong veto players, rigid governmental structures, and numerous unofficial decision-making rules. It is argued that enhancement of the prime ministers position was implemented through the creative use of preexisting policy venues, coupled with minor institutional changes in decision-making bodies. Using three illustrated case studies, it is demonstrated how the prime minister managed to centralize the decision-making process: a result of strategic appointment of ministers, empowerment of the Cabinet Secretariat and also taking advantage of wider advisory organs, largely circumventing deliberations on key policies in the ruling party. Seemingly minor changes thus manifested in a major redefinition of decision-making patterns: a result of the long-term perspective of the Abe administration.

Gradual Institutional Change in Japan: Kantei Leadership under the Abe Administration will be useful for students seeking to understand the process of successful gradual institutional change and for scholars of Japanese studies and political science.

Karol Zakowski is Associate Professor at the University of Lodz. He specializes in the politics and foreign policy of Japan. His recent books include Decision-Making Reform in Japan: The DPJ's Failed Attempt at a Politician-Led Government (2015) and Japan's Foreign Policy Making (2018).

Series Editors:

Roger Goodman, Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese Studies, University of Oxford, Fellow, St Antonys College

J.A.A. Stockwin, formerly Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese Studies and former Director of the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow, St Antony's College

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Nikolay Murashkin

The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan
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Nakakita Kji

Japans New Ruralities
Coping with Decline in the Periphery
Edited by Wolfram Manzenreiter, Ralph Ltzeler and Sebastian Polak-Rottmann

New Directions in Japans Security
Non-U.S. Centric Evolution
Edited by Paul Midford and Wilhelm Vosse

Child Guidance Centres in Japan
Alternative Care and the Family
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Gradual Institutional Change in Japan
Kantei Leadership under the Abe Administration
Karol Zakowski

For more information about this series, please visit: www.routledge.com/Nissan-Institute-Routledge-Japanese-Studies/book-series/SE0022

First published 2021
by Routledge
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2021 Karol Zakowski

The right of Karol Zakowski to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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ISBN: 978-0-367-62336-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-10898-6 (ebk)

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To my wife Magdalena