[cstaylor]

This is just like those execs at non-profits like the United Way, cashing in on the kindness of others. Bastards.

[Captain Japan]

Amakudari rules still lacking / Survey finds no local govts penalize those violating regulations
Daily Gomiuri

Sixteen of 47 prefectural and 15 major city governments, have not introduced any regulations on retiring officials' taking lucrative jobs in areas of the private sector they supervised as government employees--a practice known as amakudari--citing the need to allow officials freedom to choose their occupation, according to research by The Yomiuri Shimbun.

The survey also showed that even those 46 local governments who do have regulations in place do not have set penalties for violators, while 16 of these do not have written rules in place.

The widespread nature of amakudari among local government officials has led to claims that it has contributed to a culture of bid-rigging of public works tenders held by local governments, especially following a series of high-profile bid-rigging cases in recent months. The failure of local governments to tackle the situation is likely to lead to calls for tighter regulations on amakudari at local government level, similar to rules in place for central government bureaucrats....more...

[Captain Japan]

Anti-amakudari agency arranged re-employment of only 1 official in 7 years
Asahi

A human resource agency introduced seven years ago to help retired government officials find employment in a transparent and unsuspicious manner has been successful only once, sources said.

The agency was intended to clear suspicions about amakudari, the practice of retired bureaucrats landing private-sector or semi-public jobs in industries they once oversaw. The practice has led to arrangements for bid-rigging and other forms of corruption.

The government spent about 70 million yen ($584,700) to set up a computer system and publish brochures to publicize the agency.

Some blame the lack of success on the limits and tough conditions set by individual job-seekers. But others say that old habits die hard.

"The agency is a good system because applicants from government ministries and agencies and potential employers are in an equal relationship," Kazuma Tsutsumi, former director-general of the Liaison-council of Labor Unions in Public Corporations, said. "But the system won't work as long as government ministries and agencies continue to arrange amakudari jobs to companies in related industries."...more...