The Diet began deliberating a bill this month aimed at curbing "amakudari," the practice of giving retiring top bureaucrats lucrative jobs in private-sector firms and quasi-government entities in the business sectors they oversee.
The notorious practice, literally "descent from heaven" — a phrase well reflecting the public's traditional deference to authority — has survived for more than half a century despite repeated instances of corruption.
Yet the current efforts to curb the practice have already been overshadowed. Some politicians say the reform bill may not clear the Diet before the current session ends in June due to lack of time.