To some of Aurelia's comments on Brian's comments:
The Civil service reform bill, which Abe plans to introduce (which is not much different from the bill Abe introduced during his first term and the DPJ introduced during its term but failed to have it
passed) include measures that address the issues of lack of inter-ministry mobility of high level bureaucrats (forming a Jinjikyou in the Kantei), promotion on the basis of seniority (including demotions for inadequate performance), and amakudari (regarding the latter, some restrictions have already been legislated. Next month I will be trying to find out the extent to which these restrictions have had an effect).

Whether the bill will pass this time around, and whether it will be implemented is another matter. In fact, the provisions in the Civil Service Law enacted under the auspices of the US Occupation, for job classification, on one hand, and and assignments and remuneration in accordance with relevant qualifications and performance, on the other, have not been changed; they have just been ignored by the bureaucrats, and the efforts of the Jinjiin (National Personnel Authority) to enforce these provisions have not succeeded.

Ehud, A.K.