Last year the Hatoyama administration's Government Revitalization Unit scrutinized budget requests for fiscal 2010 under the slogan of slashing wasteful spending of tax money. The process saved ¥690 billion. People gave high marks to the scrutiny not only because it saved money but also because it helped acquaint them with the process of budget formation and shed light on structural problems that are likely to lead to the wasteful use of public money.

In late April the same unit scrutinized 151 projects of 47 independent administrative agencies. It calls for abolishing 36 projects and scaling down more than 50 others. In late May it will examine the work of nonprofit public service corporate bodies. Organizations of both groups are receiving public money from the central government for their operations. On the basis of the scrutiny, the Hatoyama administration plans to work out a basic reform plan to abolish or integrate these organizations.

Apparently the administration hopes the scrutiny will bring about solid achievements and thus help buoy its approval rating, which has dropped to around 20 percent. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said people's expectations are great and expressed the hope that the process will "wash away the filth" that has accumulated in those organizations over years.