Political Administrative System
Makihara Laboratory

Column
Makihara's work involves researching Japan's administrative system based on its actual conditions and elucidating its structure. Japanese politics have long been characterized by the extended rule of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Therefore, LDP research is actively conducted in the field of political science. However, while there are studies on individual components, such as the Prime Minister's Office or the Ministry of Finance, regarding the "bureaucratic-led administration" that the LDP government has followed, there has been no research that looks at the administrative system as a whole.
"Administration is like a 'system' where the process is entirely invisible. I wanted to 'see through' that," Makihara said. Thus, he started his research by exploring the actual conditions of administration from during World War II to the postwar period, especially in the 1950s. This 15-year research was published as "Cabinet Politics and 'Ministry of Finance Domination'," receiving high praise as a significant work that clarified the structure of the relationship between politics and bureaucracy and the administrative system.
However, Makihara's research does not stop at depicting the 1950s. "My research connects points from the past and aims to clarify temporal 'changes'. Doing so makes the present visible. Furthermore, it allows us to see a bit into the future. I believe that this knowledge can help society understand the bureaucracy and administration of this country. That’ s why I share my views when requested by the media or the government."
Makihara provides a clear view of the internal structure of the administration, which cannot be seen by merely looking closely. He offers not a single X-ray image but a series of photographs capturing changes over time. (From UTOKYO VOICES 095)