The Informal Ties in the Japanese Bureaucracy: the Challenge to Legalism and Impersonalism

Occupation: Senior Research Fellow, Center for Study of Common Problems of Contemporary East
Affiliation: Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Problemy Dalnego Vostoka

Edition

Issue 3

Pages

85-100

Abstract

The literal translation Japanese term amakudari is "descent from heaven" and derived from ama meaning heaven and kudari meaning decending. The term describes the practice of employing senior bureaucrats who have retired from positions in ministries to managerial positions in corporations, non-governmental associations overseen by these ministries. This government-officials-turned-managers practice is based on external and internal Jinmyaku ties. Amakudari relationships with their ministry ex-colleagues (co-Amakudari, pre-Amakudari) are mutually beneficial. It is considered among officials that through Amakudari the government is able to influence and control decision making in business. Private companies benefit through close ties to the government, using the retired bureaucrats. Amakudari and Watari practices help to acquire public contracts, delay inspections and ensure various forms of preferential treatment through Jinmyaku network. In spite of officials-turned-managers practice is allowed byJapan’s National Civil Service Law 2008 only 2 years after leaving government service, ministries continue to help the post retirement and before retirement officials in seeking jobs.

This article seeks to analyze and map Amakudari and Jinmyaku patterns from perspectives of an institutional and a social network theories. The author makes attempt to compare Jinmyaku with other informal relations, based on group loyalty, reciprocity, benefits received, known as Chinese and Arab Cultural Constructs: Guanxi and Wasta. Interpersonal connections and networks are considered from perspective of traditional and rational motives creating group loyalty. The conclusion of the study is as follows. Amakudari practice, based on individual interests secured by group interests, challenges legalism and impersonality that create rational-bureaucracy legitimacy of the government.

Keywords

Amakudari, Jinmyaku, retired bureaucrats, corruption, informal ties, group loyalty, social network, interpersonal communication

Received

07.06.2021

Publication date

23.06.2021

Number of characters

35045

Cite

GOST	Grafov D. The Informal Ties in the Japanese Bureaucracy: the Challenge to Legalism and Impersonalism // Problemy Dalnego Vostoka – 2021. – Issue 3 C. 85-100 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://pdv.jes.su/S013128120015359-5-1 (circulation date: 19.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013128120015359-5
MLA	Grafov, Dmitriy B "The Informal Ties in the Japanese Bureaucracy: the Challenge to Legalism and Impersonalism." Problemy Dalnego Vostoka 3 (2021):85-100. DOI: 10.31857/S013128120015359-5
APA	Grafov D. (2021). The Informal Ties in the Japanese Bureaucracy: the Challenge to Legalism and Impersonalism. Problemy Dalnego Vostoka (3), pp.85-100 DOI: 10.31857/S013128120015359-5

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