ABSTRACT
The Japanese bureaucracies are far more extensive than their United States counterparts. Ministries have only two or possibly three politically appointed posts; the other positions are held by career bureaucrats. The Japanese bureaucracy clearly approaches the ideal of a meritocracy. There are a few words in Japanese that have been absorbed into the English, or at least American, language. No commentary on the Japanese domestic political environment would be complete without covering the manner in which the economic world is organized and how the organization interacts with its political counterparts. Japan's weapon-exporting policy could be changed by government decision, but change seems highly unlikely. Advancement in Japanese firms is usually based on seniority. There is great expectation on the part of the employee that, if faithful service is rendered to the company, in time his wages and benefits will increase.
