ABSTRACT
The most striking characteristic of Japanese policymaking which emerges from its diversity. At the same time, this diversity is neither random nor sui generis to each policymaking case. The limited number of cases revents any mathematically precise analysis of the contributions made by each of the individual variables to the process of policymaking. What is striking is that in the cases examined the variables are highly synchronized with one another. Representing something of a polar opposite was incremental policymaking. The issue of enrollment expansion lacked meaningful historical affect and was broad, unspecific, and easily disaggregable. Occupying a midpoint on most of the variables and in the policymaking process as well was the case of specialization and differentiation of higher education. Striking too is the social and political impact of the policies that have been handled bureaucratically and quietly and the lesser significance of the most visible political issues.
