Amakudari and Regulatory Complexity: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in Japan

This project examines the relationship between amakudari (the reemployment of civil servants in the private sector) and regulatory complexity. Using a natural experiment generated by Japan’s 2000 reform on the retirement age and subsequent policy changes, we investigate how random allocation of reemployment opportunities affects the regulatory landscape. Since bureaucrats do not control their cohort’s exposure to these reforms, the variation provides a quasi-random treatment.
We leverage individual-level amakudari data to assess whether civil servants who move to regulated firms or industries contribute to regulatory complexity, testing the argument that regulation creates demand for amakudari personnel to interpret and navigate rules.

The research assistant will contribute to several key aspects of the project. First, they will assist with data collection and processing by extracting amakudari reemployment data from official government reports covering the years 2009–2022. They will cross-reference employment notifications with regulatory data on industry complexity and match individual reemployment records with regulatory outcomes.

In terms of quantitative analysis, the research assistant will help structure a difference-in- differences or event study design to assess the impact of reemployment on regulatory complexity.

They will process data from the natural experiment, which leverages cohort-based variation due to Japan’s retirement age reforms, and examine whether bureaucrats transitioning into regulated industries contribute to increased regulatory complexity.

The role also involves conducting a literature review and legal analysis, summarizing relevant NPA reforms, particularly those from 2007 and 2019, which introduced employment restrictions and established the Reemployment Surveillance Commission. The research assistant will also review existing scholarship on revolving doors and regulatory capture in Japan.

Finally, they will contribute to report writing and presentation by assisting in drafting a summary of the findings. They will also prepare visualizations and summary tables for academic dissemination.

The research assistant will gain valuable experience in empirical public policy research, particularly in analyzing the effects of bureaucratic reemployment on regulatory complexity. They will develop skills in data collection and processing, working with official government reports and administrative datasets. The project will also provide training in quantitative policy analysis, including the application of natural experiments and difference-in-differences methods to real- world regulatory issues.
Additionally, the student will strengthen their ability to conduct legal and policy analysis, engaging with key legislative texts, such as NPA reforms and reemployment regulations, to understand their implications for bureaucratic reemployment patterns. They will also enhance their academic writing and data visualization skills by contributing to report drafting and preparing summary tables and figures for dissemination.

A key aspect of the internship is learning web scraping and text analysis techniques from the supervisor, which will be essential for extracting, structuring, and analyzing information from government reports and legislative documents. This will equip the student with practical computational skills that are increasingly valuable in policy research.

By participating in this project, the student will gain hands-on experience in a highly relevant policy issue, particularly in relation to governance, regulatory capture, and the intersection of public administration and private sector influence. This will be particularly beneficial for those considering postgraduate studies or careers in public policy, political economy, or regulatory affairs.

• Experience with quantitative policy analysis (difference-in-differences, natural experiments).
• Familiarity with Japanese political institutions and public administration.
• Proficiency in data collection, processing, and management (R, Python, or Stata preferred).
• Strong legal and policy analysis skills (reading government reports and legal texts).
• Ability to work independently with large administrative datasets.

• A cleaned and structured dataset linking amakudari reemployment patterns with regulatory complexity.
• Preliminary statistical analysis testing the relationship between amakudari and regulatory changes.
• Contribution to an academic paper on the effects of amakudari on regulation in Japan.

1. Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability to the project supervisor(s). Please contact the project supervisor(s) in advance of submitting the application with any questions.

2. If selected by the project supervisor

• LISS DTP students must then complete the LISS DTP Placement /Internship Application form. This ensures that there is approval of PhD supervisor, and the necessary information is obtained to extend funding (for DTP1 students) or confirm placement requirement fulfilled (for DTP2 students), and to fulfil ESRC reporting obligations. LISS DTP approval must be given before the RA internship can commence.
• Other ESRC-funded DTP students should follow the internship application processes from their home DTP.

Please note for LISS DTP students:

• Research Assistant Internships must not be undertaken with the student’s current supervisor and/or home department.
• DTP1 students (those whose funding commenced before Oct24): a maximum of 4 Research Assistant internships will be funded. These will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the 4 DTP1 places are filled, we will inform PIs that only DTP2 students are eligible for the Research Assistant internships. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DTP1 PLACES HAVE NOW BEEN FILLED.
• DTP2 students (those whose funding commenced from Oct24): are required to complete a 3-month placement, which is funded through their studentship. No limits to number that can be funded.
• Reports: at the conclusion of the internship, the student will be required to complete an internship report, which will include a question for the internship host to feedback on the internship.

Contact liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk with any questions.