While studies of policy analysis in other countries have assessed their needs and integrated them into training programmes for professional policy analysts, Japanese studies have been very limited. Policy analysis in Japan brings together for the first time a detailed examination of the theory and practice of policy analysis systems in Japan, at different levels. As part of the successful International Library of Policy Analysis series edited by Iris Geva-May and Michael Howlett, the book provides expert analysis to closely examine to what extent the Japanese government has succeeded in providing key policy actors with evidence-informed policy options, thereby improving the likelihood of better policies being adopted and implemented. The book also assesses Japan’s future policy directions, allowing policy researchers and practitioners to draw a number of lessons from the Japanese experience. The book includes empirical case studies to aid teaching and further research, and will be a valuable resource for students and academics as well as policymakers. Features of the ILPA series include: • a country-specific systematic study of policy analysis systems by government and non-governmental actors • a history of the country’s policy analysis, empirical case studies and a comparative overview of alternative approaches • a key reference collection for research and teaching in comparative policy analysis and policy studies

Table of Contents:
Introduction Policy Analysis in Japan: The State of the Art ~ Yukio Adachi; Part I: Styles and Methods of Policy Analysis in Japan; Historical Background of Policy Analysis in Japan ~ Jun Iio; Beyond a Formal Approach?: Seeking Adequate Policy Analysis in Japan ~ Sukehiro Hosono; Policy Research Movement in Local Governments ~ Kimie Tsuchiyama' Policy Analysis and Normative Theory: With a Focus on Social Security Policies ~ Wataru Sano; Law and public policy in contemporary Japan ~ Makoto Usami; Part II: Policy Analysis in Japanese Governments; Policy Analysis and Policy Process in Japanese Government ~ Jun Iio; In-House Think Tanks of Ministries: Their Functions and Limitations in Policy Formulation ~ Hideaki Tanaka; A Policy Analysis of the Japanese Diet from the Perspective of ‘Legislative Supporting Agencies’ ~ Jun Makita; Councils, Policy Analysis and Policy Evaluation ~ Kiyoshi Yamaya; Local Governments and Policy Analysis in Japan after World War II ~ Toshiyuki Kanai; Part III: Parties, Interest Group, Advocacy-Based Policy Analysis; Policy Analysis and Policymaking by Japanese Political Parties ~ Takahiro Suzuki; Business Associations and Labor Unions ~ Takao Akiyoshi; Current State of NPOs and the “New Public Commons” ~ Takafumi Tanaka; Think Tanks and Policy Analysis: Meeting the Challenges of Think ~ Tanks in Japan ~ Mika Shimizu; Policy Analysis in the Mass Media ~ Hirotsugu Koike; Part IV: Future Directions of Policy Analysis in Japan; Policy Education in Japan: A Study of Professional Graduate Public Policy Schools ~ Koichiro Agata; Job Market for Public Policy Program Graduates in Japan ~ Satoshi P. Watanabe; Conclusion: Future Directions of the Theory and Practice of Public Policy Analysis in Japan ~ Yukio Adachi.