High
alarm for business! Japan's formerly
well-regarded civil service looks corrupt & dirty due to the Moritomo Gakuen favoritism scandal and continuing cover-up.
Simply for that decay of Japan's image, PM Shinzo Abe & Finance Minister Taro Aso share costly responsibility.
Is Japan's corruption only among bureaucrats?
The Japan Times explained (link): Until 2014, top ministry officials recommended most high-level bureaucratic appointments. But since creation of the Cabinet Bureau of Personnel Affairs (内閣人事局), Abe & his aides now directly screen & appoint the top 600 bureaucrats. Japan's once powerful civil servant class became more obedient to lawmakers, and now increasingly must cater to the interests of the politicians controlling their careers.
Simply for that decay of Japan's image, PM Shinzo Abe & Finance Minister Taro Aso share costly responsibility.
Is Japan's corruption only among bureaucrats?
The Japan Times explained (link): Until 2014, top ministry officials recommended most high-level bureaucratic appointments. But since creation of the Cabinet Bureau of Personnel Affairs (内閣人事局), Abe & his aides now directly screen & appoint the top 600 bureaucrats. Japan's once powerful civil servant class became more obedient to lawmakers, and now increasingly must cater to the interests of the politicians controlling their careers.