Information Disclosure in Politics

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  • 政治における情報公開
  • セイジ ニ オケル ジョウホウ コウカイ

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Abstract

<p>Analyzing information disclosure in politics illustrates its characteristics different from those of administrative information disclosure. It also features its significance in promoting political reforms that have been discussed for the past decade.</p><p>First of all, information and data should be open to public, simply because when most of political decisions and policies are made using these information and data. However, those in politics in this country have been accustomed to dealing with dubious data including figures reported by politicians under the Political Funds Control Law.</p><p>Secondly, no consensus has yet to be reached over how much information should be disclosed “during the decision-making process.” Some endorse “live broadcasting,” but others maintain disclosing some pieces of information when necessary. In this regard, information disclosure at the Diet and government advisory bodies have been well promoted, whereas, almost no access has been provided to information of ruling political parties when they are in the process of mapping out new polities. Likewise, information disclosure by government ministries and agencies comes only after bureaucrats complete their plans, not during working out the plans.</p><p>Thirdly, who should be granted the right to information? Is it general public, experts or those who are concerned? Securing accessibility means in a narrow sense providing information to only those who have the right to it and demand for it. However, some advocate information disclosure in a wider sense. Some local political leaders have promoted information disclosure at local governments so that they will eventually share responsibility with citizens.</p><p>Fourthly, information disclosure has been a topic in the context of political reforms. The issue in the political reform efforts for the past years has not been a priority. But prevailing the concept of accountability leads the public to demand for it, resulting in driving politicians to become more accountable for what they do. In this sense, promoting accountability has been considered an effective weapon in a long run.</p><p>Information disclosure in politics finally leads to issues involving governance, which are common in the fields of monetary or health care policies.</p>

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