Gov't begins 2nd round of debate to review gov't programs

Gov't begins 2nd round of debate to review gov't programs

TOKYO, Japan - Cabinet minister Yukio Edano (standing), who heads the Government Revitalization Unit, speaks during the second round of public debate with bureaucrats to streamline the government in Tokyo on April 23, 2010. The unit will target programs of independent administrative institutions often criticized for providing cushy post-retirement jobs to senior bureaucrats.

Eishi Kubota receives Ph.D. in engineering at age 81

Eishi Kubota receives Ph.D. in engineering at age 81

TOKYO, Japan - Eishi Kubota (photo) has been awarded a doctorate in engineering from Nagasaki University this year at age 81. Kubota, a former boiler designer with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., enrolled in the Open University of Japan at age 71 and went on to the Ph.D. program at Nagasaki University after he got a master's degree from the Open University. Kubota, whose Ph.D. dissertation focused on how to reduce dioxin at incinerators, says he decided to conduct research on dioxin as part of his post-retirement job as a consultant for incinerator manufacturers.

Diet panel OKs state employment law to stem irregularities

Diet panel OKs state employment law to stem irregularities

TOKYO, Japan - The House of Representatives Committee on Cabinet approves a bill on June 6 intended to tighten control on post-retirement hiring of government workers. The bill is set to clear the lower house on June 7.

Some seniors making good money post-retirement

Some seniors making good money post-retirement

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - An elderly woman in Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture, monitors her farm sales by computer.

80 defense officials reprimanded for covering up bid rigging

80 defense officials reprimanded for covering up bid rigging

TOKYO, Japan - Iwao Kitahara, the chief of the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, tells reporters in Tokyo on June 15 that the Defense Agency and his agency reprimanded some 80 high-ranking officials after an in-house investigative panel concluded that officials systematically and ingeniously concealed bid rigging for agency contracts for around 30 years to secure post-retirement jobs with contractors.

80 defense officials reprimanded for covering up bid rigging

80 defense officials reprimanded for covering up bid rigging

TOKYO, Japan - Iwao Kitahara, the chief of the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, tells reporters in Tokyo on June 15 that the Defense Agency and his agency reprimanded some 80 high-ranking officials after an in-house investigative panel concluded that officials systematically and ingeniously concealed bid rigging for agency contracts for around 30 years to secure post-retirement jobs with contractors. (Kyodo)

Diet panel OKs state employment law to stem irregularities

Diet panel OKs state employment law to stem irregularities

TOKYO, Japan - The House of Representatives Committee on Cabinet approves a bill on June 6 intended to tighten control on post-retirement hiring of government workers. The bill is set to clear the lower house on June 7. (Kyodo)

Metropolitan government ordered to pay damages to ex-teachers

Metropolitan government ordered to pay damages to ex-teachers

Former teachers at Tokyo metropolitan government-run high schools attend a press conference in Tokyo on May 25, 2015, after the Tokyo District Court ordered the local government to pay damages over its rejection of post-retirement re-employment following their refusal to stand up and sing the national anthem "Kimigayo" at school ceremonies. Some teachers argue that being ordered to stand and sing the anthem in front of the Hinomaru flag infringes on their freedom of thought and conscience. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Eishi Kubota receives Ph.D. in engineering at age 81

Eishi Kubota receives Ph.D. in engineering at age 81

TOKYO, Japan - Eishi Kubota (photo) has been awarded a doctorate in engineering from Nagasaki University this year at age 81. Kubota, a former boiler designer with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., enrolled in the Open University of Japan at age 71 and went on to the Ph.D. program at Nagasaki University after he got a master's degree from the Open University. Kubota, whose Ph.D. dissertation focused on how to reduce dioxin at incinerators, says he decided to conduct research on dioxin as part of his post-retirement job as a consultant for incinerator manufacturers. (Kyodo)

Gov't begins 2nd round of debate to review gov't programs

Gov't begins 2nd round of debate to review gov't programs

TOKYO, Japan - Cabinet minister Yukio Edano (standing), who heads the Government Revitalization Unit, speaks during the second round of public debate with bureaucrats to streamline the government in Tokyo on April 23, 2010. The unit will target programs of independent administrative institutions often criticized for providing cushy post-retirement jobs to senior bureaucrats. (Kyodo)

Number of top education ministry staff knew of job placement racket

Number of top education ministry staff knew of job placement racket

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hirokazu Matsuno attends a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 6, 2017. Matsuno said a number of top ministry bureaucrats knew about the inappropriate practice of retired employees intervening to find post-retirement jobs for their former colleagues, spanning several years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Number of top education ministry staff knew of job placement racket

Number of top education ministry staff knew of job placement racket

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hirokazu Matsuno attends a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 6, 2017. Matsuno said a number of top ministry bureaucrats knew about the inappropriate practice of retired employees intervening to find post-retirement jobs for their former colleagues, spanning several years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Number of top education ministry staff knew of job placement racket

Number of top education ministry staff knew of job placement racket

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hirokazu Matsuno attends a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 6, 2017. Matsuno said a number of top ministry bureaucrats knew about the inappropriate practice of retired employees intervening to find post-retirement jobs for their former colleagues, spanning several years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Gov't OKs top bureaucrat resignation over revolving-door appointment

Gov't OKs top bureaucrat resignation over revolving-door appointment

Hirokazu Matsuno, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, bows in apology at a press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2017, after the government accepted the resignation of Kihei Maekawa, administrative vice minister, over his role in helping a senior official land a post-retirement job. Matsuno said the ministry also plans discipline others involved in the case. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Gov't OKs top bureaucrat resignation over revolving-door appointment

Gov't OKs top bureaucrat resignation over revolving-door appointment

Hirokazu Matsuno, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, attends a press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2017, after the government accepted the resignation of Kihei Maekawa, administrative vice minister, over his role in helping a senior official land a post-retirement job. Matsuno said the ministry also plans discipline others involved in the case. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Gov't OKs top bureaucrat resignation over revolving-door appointment

Gov't OKs top bureaucrat resignation over revolving-door appointment

Hirokazu Matsuno, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, attends a press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2017, after the government accepted the resignation of Kihei Maekawa, administrative vice minister, over his role in helping a senior official land a post-retirement job. Matsuno said the ministry also plans discipline others involved in the case. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo