DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama wants to remove power from the hands of bureaucrats. Can he do it? And is it a good idea?

Friday 04th September, 07:29 AM JST

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Razor at 10:58 AM JST - 4th September

Rugbyfan

But Hatoyama is 62, so your idea wouldn't work. He could hardly push for everyone else to retire at 60, and stay on himself, could he?
Rugbyfan at 11:36 AM JST - 4th September

Well "Razor" then make it 65. You don't obviously get my point, do you. What Japan doesn't need is all the elderly politicians (some in their late 70s) running the country. We need younger more positive thinking. Not just "how many pies can I get my fingers into" mentality.
timtak at 12:08 PM JST - 4th September

He needs to reduce government spending.

It also seems to me that bureacrats are inappropriately self-confident. Many seem to have little desire to reduce blantant inefficiency even in the face of the massive deficit and government borrowing.

Tōru Hashimoto seems to have achieved some cutting and humbling in Oosaka, so I guess, with a concerted effort, it may be possible and pretty essential, if Japan is not to go bankcrupt.
mareo2 at 01:09 PM JST - 4th September

The easeast way is like restructuring a company on bankruptcy. A bunch of corrupt and innept managers are in charge and need to be replaced by the midle managers that have a better idea of what reforms are neded, but failed to get the political support for rise on their sections. For a real reform, DPJ need to have a bunch a people that have a clue about what an economic policy really means.
sapporocanuck at 01:10 PM JST - 4th September

Hatoyama cannot do it unless the will of the Japanese people who voted his party in start taking ownership and responsibility for their decaying society. There is more at stake here than a stagnant economy and failing health/social system. What is at stake here, in the long run, is the survival of a culture. A culture I say, not a race. Japan has to wake up and take stock of its real natural resources, namely ALL people currently living in Japan, including foreigners and Japanese women, who have long been excluded from exercising their potential. Japan also needs to look at its other natural resources, such as Geothermal energy, to supply homegrown power in a land where up to 90% of fuel is imported. All for one and one for all! Enough of the LDP selfishness and cronyism! Japan has to realize that its seat as the #2 economic superpower will be swept away by year's end. It is time to move on and set more human goals that put people first instead of profit for a few.
notimpressed at 01:14 PM JST - 4th September

I heard a tale of a friend in the bureaucracy that a meeting was held for ten day to decide the name of a new office, this is the type of inefficiency and time and money wasting that can easily be fixed and is no doubt a good idea. If the point is to streamline the bureaucratic system, and have them working smarter, cheaper, and more effectively, then yeah, its a great idea, but it is a cultural issue that needs a lot of work to change - in the way that Japanese offices work. Not enough delegation, and too much patting each other on the back and talking in circles among other things. I can't see that changing very easily. But if Toyota can have an efficient assembly line, then bureaucrats and administration can develop a better system too. But who has the vision and charisma to design and get everyone to follow such a drastic change?
Patrick Smash at 01:53 PM JST - 4th September

He needs ban overtime pay for bureaucrats. Those who need to work late can work shifts. Almost the entire MOFA staff take taxis home most evenings. I've met loads of them, and many will admit this. Other ministries must be similar.

We all know there is little work going on, just a trail of pointless meetigs, and job rotations as soon as anyone starts getting competent (efficient), so why does the public purse have to cover obscene unnecessary overtime and transport costs?

Can Hatoyama change this? Not a chance.
Rugbyfan at 02:56 PM JST - 4th September

If Mr Hatoyama employed an independent company to do efficiency reports on each ministry, and to make recommendations like firing staff that would be great.
herefornow at 04:08 PM JST - 4th September

Great idea -- Never happen. To Japan's detriment.
stirfry at 04:19 PM JST - 4th September

No. Of course.
lostrune2 at 06:05 PM JST - 4th September

It's tough to implement ideas when the Ministry head musical chairs can change at any moment few months time.

It'll also help if the appointed heads have some experience managing in their fields, like the Health Ministry headed by a doctor.
isthistheend at 01:06 PM JST - 5th September

It'll be the greatest of his accomplishments if he can remove the completely incompetent monitors of this news service, though probably impossible.
Betting at 04:15 PM JST - 5th September

I hope he can do it, and it would be a very good idea for Japan. But I think it would bring with it a certain amount of pain until the politicians were able to gain the necessary expertise to govern by themselves without the bureaucrats. They haven't had that power/knowledge for 60 years, they won't get it overnight. But I really would like to see them try.
TheMarion at 11:59 PM JST - 5th September

I believe the Japanese Constitution reflects that Hatoyama has been elected to be the "manager" of these bureaucrats and he has the power to pick and choose those who his party feels are working in the best interests of the people of Japan. YES, he has the power and he should shoulder the responsibility of being a good manager
TheMarion at 03:12 AM JST - 7th September

Were I in Hatoyama's position, I would immediately close all foreign Military bases and send them all home and then give greater independent autonomy to the Governor of Okinawa. Do more doing and less talking.