The Japanese Prime Minister and Public Policy

Despite the undeniable importance of Japan in world affairs, both politically and economically, the office of the Japanese prime minister has recieved far less attention from scholars than have the top political offices in other advanced industrialized democracies. This book is the first major systemic analysis of the Japanese prime minister's role and influence in the policy process.Kenji Hayao argues that the Japanese prime minister can play a major if not critical role in bringing about a cha