The 2005 government white paper on the Japanese economy and public finances, which the Cabinet cleared earlier this month, has a chapter titled "From Public to Private: Restructuring the Government Sector and Its Challenges." It makes the following points:

* Big government could have negative effects on economic activity as it blocks the economy from achieving an efficient distribution of resources.

* A qualitative review of spending programs is needed to limit the scale of spending and the growth of the "national burden rate" (the ratio of taxes and social security contributions to national income).