Japan's bureaucrats face the firing line

[FarCenter]

By Purnendra Jain - Asia times - http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/KH25Dh01.html

ADELAIDE - The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) increasingly looks set to displace the near monopoly on political power held by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since it was formed in 1955. The LDP has governed Japan for more than five decades, except briefly in 1993-1994 when a fragile coalition replaced the LDP.

The LDP, that seemed only recently invincible under prime minister Junichiro Koizumi until his departure in 2006, is now on the brink of losing power at Sunday's general election. Most polls and psephologists suggest that the DPJ, either on its own or in coalition with smaller parties, is certain to form the next government with Yukio Hatoyama as its prime minister.

The DPJ in its election manifesto and through various policy announcements has made many pledges to distinguish itself from the ruling LDP. A domestic demand-led economic recovery plan has been announced, which includes financial support for families with young children, struggling farmers and the elderly, better pensions and new programs for both youth and employment. How the DPJ will fund spending on new programs is already being questioned.

But the party's most radical plan is about eliminating the influence of bureaucrats on policy formulation and making politicians more responsible and accountable for it. Is this achievable?

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