The government established a set of rules Tuesday that outline proper relationships between politicians and bureaucrats, hoping to prevent lawmakers from exerting undue influence on policymaking matters.
The guidelines, the first of their kind compiled by the government, were drafted in the wake of a series of scandals involving lawmaker Muneo Suzuki.
The former ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker allegedly exerted his influence on Foreign Ministry bureaucrats, affecting the ministry's decision-making process. Suzuki has been indicted on a bribe-taking charge.
If lawmakers pressure bureaucrats or make excessive policy requests, according to the new guidelines, bureaucrats should report the matter to Cabinet members or top ministry officials such as senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
Under the guidelines, Cabinet members and senior ministry officials who receive a report from their subordinates must take responsibility in dealing with the identified lawmaker. The Cabinet is to deal with the lawmaker if handling the case proves difficult.
The guidelines refer to specific cases in which politicians make requests to bureaucrats regarding decisions on allocations of subsidies and the authorization of rights and contracts, which are substantially different from government policies.
Meanwhile, bureaucrats are required to keep records of their dealings with lawmakers and must confirm the records with the lawmakers involved.
The guidelines may be reviewed at a later date, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said.