Article, 2024

The unlikely successful advancement of Japan’s e-government under Suga

Social Science Japan Journal, ISSN 1369-1465, Volume 27, 1, Pages 5-20, 10.1093/ssjj/jyad020

Contributors

Yamamoto R. (Corresponding author) [1] Iversen K.E. [2]

Affiliations

  1. [1] Aarhus University
  2. [NORA names: AU Aarhus University; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  3. [2] Ministry of Finance
  4. [NORA names: Miscellaneous; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]

Abstract

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide passed a set of digital laws in 2021, which enabled the establishment of the Digital Agency as a central element in the e-government and the digital transition in Japan. Despite its great significance, the laws were prepared and passed in a record-breaking time. This article sets out to determine the factors contributing to the swift acceptance and success of the digital law package utilizing the multiple stream framework by John W. Kingdon. It demonstrates how Suga’s ambitions coincided with a unique policy window opened by an unlikely confluence of the global pandemic and a persistent policy community.

Keywords

KEY WOR DS: e-government, administrative reform, digital transformation, digitalization, interagency, kantei leadership, policymaking, political entrepreneurship, prime minister

Data Provider: Elsevier