Title: Science and technology policy-making process in the Japanese government

Authors: Yoichi Tanaka

Addresses: Department of General Systems Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153, Japan

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to show some of the characteristics of the policy-making process of Japan|s science and technology policy. To elucidate them, the author distinguishes three stages in the policy process, and introduces a new concept named |policy module|. This method reveals the closed nature of the policy formation and the important role of the human interactive factor in gathering information and consensus-building. On the other hand, the consensus-building system mainly based on informal negotiations is not necessarily effective for handling technological issues. This suggests the limitation of the closed policy-making process in specialized policies such as science and technology policy.

Keywords: science and technology policy; policy-making process; Japan; bureaucracy; decision making; information transfer; negotiation; human factors; consensus-building.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1993.025804

International Journal of Technology Management, 1993 Vol.8 No.6/7/8, pp.676 - 686

Published online: 24 May 2009 *

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