An Analysis Of Japanese Policy Diffusion Theory

The policy formulation is very important in regard to the development of a national. Using policy diffusion as a way to establish government policy has received attention from many Japanese academic circles scholars. Since the 50s, there has been record about policy diffusion, yet it was from the 90s that this method is being systematically analyzed.One kind of policy innovation is used by a number of minority autonomy, and is being promoted through various ways to the whole nation and becomes the nationwide policy. This is known as policy diffusion. Policy diffusion is in fact an interactive process in regard the policy setting between the central authority and its local governments, or within the local governments body.Policy diffusion can be divided into horizontal diffusion and vertical diffusion. The nature of policy and the period government intervenes is one of the main reasons that affect policy diffusion.The Central authority intervention can be divided into the early stage, the intermediate stage as well as the later stage. The early stage directly affects the speed and the procedure in which policy diffusion takes place, contributing to the formation of vertically diffusion. The central authority affects other local governments as it reformulates its policy during the intermediate stage, contributing to the crosswise competition phenomenon. The later period has minimal effect and thus could be ignored during research.The nature of policy can also affect the speed and curve of the policy diffusion. In regard to different policy, the department that is held responsible for the task holds a different attitude from that of the central authority. Even if it is the same, the difference in the nature of policy can affect the way policy diffusion takes place. Policy can be divided into the opposition policy and the non-opposition policy. Policy diffusion is a process within policy making. It can be affected by internal and external factors. These are known as: the internal condition, interactive reference and crosswise competition.In introducing the elementary theory in regard to policy diffusion, this article analyzes four typical processes which policy diffusion can take place, and the problems involved. For example, the gray area within policy diffusion and the conflicts between the local government and the central authority. Finally, three solutions are proposed to tackle these problems. These include: establishing a monitoring system to deal with policy diffusion and set clearly on how policy should be formulated when it involves both the central authority and the local government.