Ministries and central government agencies received nearly 60,000 requests for information to be disclosed in fiscal 2002, the second year after the law on information disclosure took effect, according to the public management ministry.

According to the Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry, a total of 59,880 requests were filed over fiscal 2002, which ended in March. The number marks an increase of some 10,000 from the previous fiscal year.

The ministry's data showed that in 96 percent of cases, information requested was fully or partially disclosed, while the number of cases in which information was withheld -- chiefly on the grounds that disclosure would help identify individuals -- was down by nearly half to 2,532.

The law on information disclosure, which was enforced in April 2001, basically gives the public free rein in seeking the disclosure of administrative information, except for data pertaining to private issues, state security and sensitive diplomatic matters.

Compared to fiscal 2001, the latest numbers show that the volume of requests has more or less stabilized, although applications to the National Tax Agency for information regarding the list of high-income taxpayers were plentiful.

Petitions seeking to reverse refusals to disclose data numbered 910, down by 444 from the previous fiscal year, while 39 cases, up by 24, were taken to court.

The National Tax Agency received the largest number of disclosure requests at 32,278, followed by the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry at 7,853 and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry at 4,424.

Among government entities that did not disclose information, public prosecutors offices stood out.