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Integrity Scorecard

2007 Assessment

Japan: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Japan: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: National Ombudsman
Indicators		Score
52	In law, is there a national ombudsman, public protector or equivalent agency (or collection of agencies) covering the entire public sector?	0
53	Is the national ombudsman effective?	0
54	Can citizens access the reports of the ombudsman?	83

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

In law, is there a national ombudsman, public protector or equivalent agency (or collection of agencies) covering the entire public sector?

52: In law, is there a national ombudsman, public protector or equivalent agency (or collection of agencies) covering the entire public sector?

Score:

YES

Comments: There is no such national agency or set of national agencies. Only 20 cities out of about 2,000 local governments have municipal ombudsman.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

Is the national ombudsman effective?

53a: In law, the ombudsman is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: In municipal ordinance, municipal ombudsman is nominated by the governor and esteemed to be a subordinate part of the local government. They are formally protected from political interference.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53b: In practice, the ombudsman is protected from political interference.

Score:

100

Comments: Municipal ombudsman is typically independent, but rarely influenced in its work by the municipal Ggovernor's intension. The purpose of the ombudsman in the ordinance is to handle citizens' complaints, not to watch misdeed or corruption of the officials.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53c: In practice, the head of the ombudsman agency/entity is protected from removal without relevant justification.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53d: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

Comments: Municipal ombudsman has too much full-time staff to fulfill its basic mandate but they are not professional. They reorganize the staff every several years in turn.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53e: In practice, agency appointments support the independence of the ombudsman agency (or agencies).

Score:

100

Comments: Appointments to the director of municipal ombudsman are made based on professional qualifications. Individuals appointed are usually free of conflicts of interest due to personal loyalties, family connections or other biases.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53f: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) receives regular funding.

Score:

100

Comments: Municipal ombudsman has a predictable source of funding that is fairly consistent from year to year.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53g: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) makes publicly available reports.

Score:

100

Comments: Municipal ombudsman makes publicly available reports usually once a year to the legislature and directly to the public.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53h: In practice, when necessary, the national ombudsman (or equivalent agency or agencies) initiates investigations.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The agency aggressively starts investigations -- or participates fully with cooperating agencies\' investigations -- into judicial misconduct. The agency is fair in its application of this power. <p>50 Score Criteria: The agency will start or cooperate in investigations, but often relies on external pressure to set priorities, or has limited effectiveness when investigating. The agency, though limited in effectiveness, is still fair in its application of power. <p>0 Score Criteria: The agency rarely investigates on its own or cooperates in other agencies\' investigations, or the agency is partisan in its application of this power.$

Comments: Municipal ombudsman usually does not investigate on its own or cooperate in other agencies' investigations.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53i: In practice, when necessary, the national ombudsman (or equivalent agency or agencies) imposes penalties on offenders.

Score:

100

Comments: Municipal ombudsman is not authorized to penalize offenders.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53j: In practice, the government acts on the findings of the ombudsman agency (or agencies).

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: Ombudsman\'s reports are taken seriously, with negative findings drawing prompt corrective action. <p>50 Score Criteria: In most cases, ombudsman\'s reports are acted on, though some exceptions may occur for politicalally sensitive issues, or particularly resistant agencies. <p>0 Score Criteria: Ombudsman reports are often ignored, or given superficial attention. Ombudsman reports do not lead to policy changes.$

Comments: Ombudsman reports are given only superficial attention. Ombudsman reports do not lead to policy changes.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

53k: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) acts on citizen complaints within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: Municipal ombudsman can resolve simple complaints quickly. Serious abuses may not be acknowledged.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

Can citizens access the reports of the ombudsman?

54a: In law, citizens can access reports of the ombudsman(s).

Score:

YES

Comments: Ordinance stipulates that municipal ombudsman should issue its report publicly once a year.

References: Municipal Ombudsman Ordinance. Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

54b: In practice, citizens can access the reports of the ombudsman(s) within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: Reports are made open usually once a year.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.

54c: In practice, citizens can access the reports of the ombudsman(s) at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: Reports are distributed free to any citizen in a booklet if he/she wants to have them.

References: Interview with the adviser of the Kawasaki Citizen Ombudsman.