A discussion group to push for administrative reform was set up under Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada, whose jurisdiction includes administrative reform along with policies to cope with the nation's low birthrate, promotion of equal social participation by men and women and creation of "new public commons," under which the government and citizens and private entities such as nongovernmental organizations cooperate to provide services in such fields as education, child care, community development, nursing care and welfare services.

One wonders whether this group will play an effective role. There is already an advisory body on administrative reform that is supposed to advise Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and play a leading role in administrative reform. The new group under Mr. Okada was set up at a time when there is little prospect that administrative reform-related bills would be enacted. Devoid of legal backing, it is a private advisory body for Mr. Okada. Careful preparations and strong determination are needed to carry out administrative reform. But it appears that both factors were lacking in establishing the group, which was created on the initiative of Mr. Okada. It is also difficult to sense any strong zeal in the group.

The group consists of 10 members, including Mr. Kazuo Inamori, founder of Kyocera Corp. and KDDI Corp. and currently CEO of Japan Airlines. The nine others are also members of the advisory body for Mr. Noda. The new group is like the fifth wheel of a coach.