...Simon Norton Purpose This paper aims to consider the suitability of Anglo‐American new public management (NPM) practices in the context of public sector reform in Japan. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the two principal alternative approaches that have been taken to public...

...Mark J. Christensen Administrative counselling (AC) is a unique feature of Japan’s public sector. Comparable to a decentralised “shop front” ombudsman function, AC may serve to lift public confidence in administrative actions. This paper analyses AC as a contributor to program evaluation at a time...