The ongoing process of realigning central government ministries and agencies remains trapped in a bureaucratic vise, according to former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, who is currently state minister in charge of streamlining the nation's bureaucracy.
For one, it lacks flexibility, he said in an interview Thursday.
Having taken the initiative to draw up the comprehensive realignment plan during his tenure as prime minister three years ago, Hashimoto said he never thought the number of personnel at each section of the current 22 ministries would remain the same after they are regrouped into 12 ministries on Jan. 6. However, current law stipulates that it be so.