Asia-Pacific

Japanese PM eyes halving number of public servants by 2011

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-27 14:09

TOKYO - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has ordered the government to put efforts into halving the number of public servants in 2011 from 2009 levels as part of his party's drive to reform the way the nation's politics is conducted.

In its manifesto for last summer's lower house election, the DPJ promised to end the practice of "amakudari," through which retiring bureaucrats are given high-paying jobs in the semi- private and private sector.

The move is likely to lead to fewer young people being recruited for civil service jobs.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima, however, pointed out that the policy contradicted the government request that the private sector hires more people in a bid to stave off the nation's bad economic conditions.

"With the economy back on track, the government should not send out messages that could negatively effect it," Naoshima said.

Others, however, supported the move. "Taking into consideration current fiscal conditions, we should even stop hiring people," said Government Revitalization Minister Yukio Edano.