The Master Plan for Official Statistics and the PDCA Cycle in Japan Seiji TAKATA Director for International Statistical Affairs, Office of the Director-General for Statistical Standards, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Government of Japan European Conference on Quality in Official Statistics, Vienna, 2-5 June

1. Overview of the Japanese Statistical System 2. Master Plan concerning the Development of Official Statistics 3. Overview of the first-term Master Plan and its Evaluation 4. Overview of the second-term Master Plan 5. Quality Assurance Framework 6. Concluding Remarks Contents 2

Statistics Commission (Cabinet Office) Statistics Commission (Cabinet Office) Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ◆ Planning, designing and promotion of statistical system ・ Establishment, revision or abolition of statistics laws and regulations ・ Preparation of the basic plan for the development of official statistics ・ To promote the effective use of statistical data; to manage local governments’ statistical systems, etc. ◆ Examining plans and budgets for statistical censuses and surveys ・ Examining plans and budgets for statistical censuses and surveys conducted by each office and ministry ◆ Establishing statistical standards for statistical surveys ・ To establish the Japan Standard Industrial Classification, etc. ◆ Cooperation concerning international statistical affairs ・ To coordinate international statistical affairs ・ Cooperation on the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP) Cabinet Office Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Statistics Bureau) Production of Fundamental Statistics of the state of the Nation Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Statistics Bureau) Production of Fundamental Statistics of the state of the Nation Ministry ofJustice Ministry ofForeign Affairs Ministry ofFinance Ministry ofEducation, Culture,Sports, Scienceand Technology Ministry of Health,Labour andWelfare Ministry ofAgriculture,Forestry andFisheries Ministry ofEconomy, Tradeand Industry Ministry of Land,Infrastructure,Transport andTourism Ministry of theEnvironment Ministry ofDefense 1. Overview of the Japanese Statistical System 3

Statistical system in Japan is de-centralized. Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) - Statistical standards - Population Census, Economic Census, Consumer Price, Labor Force Survey, Household Survey, Cabinet Office - National accounts etc. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI) - Economic Census, Census of Manufacturers, etc. 1. Overview of the Japanese Statistical System 4

 To overcome the weakness of the de-centralized system (and to respond to several socio-economic changes), the Statistics Act was thoroughly revised for the first time in 60 years in  The pillars of the revised Act are: i) the establishment of the Master Plan ii) the foundation of the Statistics Commission iii) the promotion of use of statistical data iv) the enhancement of confidentiality protection v) the promotion of use of administrative record information 2. Master Plan concerning the Development of Official Statistics ~ Revision of Statistics Act ~ 5

 Under the decentralized system of Japan, the Master Plan Concerning the Development of Official Statistics (Master Plan) is crucial.  The Master Plan contains - Basic policies for developing official statistics - Measures to be implemented in order to develop official statistics - Management of the progress  The plan is revised approximately every 5 years. 2. Master Plan concerning the Development of Official Statistics 6

 Consultation on the Master Plan is held with the Statistics Commission, which consists of distinguished scholars (statistics, economics, law, etc.).  After the consultation with the Statistics Commission and public comments, the Master Plan is decided (as a Cabinet decision). i.e. the consensus of all ministries 2. Master Plan 7

 Annually, the government reports the situation of implementation of the Master Plan.  The report is reviewed by the Statistics Commission, and the Commission makes recommendations. 2. Master Plan ~ PDCA cycle in the Master Plan ~ 8

PDCA Cycles in the Master Plan PLAN DO CHECK ACT Planning of the Master Plan Evaluation by the Statistics Commission Efforts by the whole government Response to the evaluation 9

 Development of National Accounts  Construction and Utilization of Business- Register  Development of statistics on welfare and social security  Utilization of administrative records etc. 3. Overview of the first-term Master Plan and its Evaluation ~ Topics in the current Master Plan (FY2009-FY2013) 10

3. Overview of Master Plan ~ Results of 2012 review ~ By the end of FY 2012, of 196 items in the Master Plan, 99 items are finished, 59 items are in the process of implementation. i.e. more than 80% items are implemented. Based on the review, the Statistics Commission made recommendations for the second-term Master Plan ( ). 11

 Development of National Accounts, corresponding to 2008SNA  Development of labour-related statistics, corresponding to ICLS resolutions  Promotion of on-line surveys  Further promotion of quality assurance  Promotion of international cooperation (UN-SIAP) 4.Overview of the second-term Master Plan ( ) 12

5. Quality Assurance Framework In Japan, the Office of Director-General for Statistical Standards examines and approves the plan for each statistical survey.  methodological soundness  cost-effectiveness  soundness of implementation  respondent burden etc. 13

After the approval, each ministry conducts surveys and makes self-assessment of the quality. The result of the self-assessment is utilized in the next approval process. The PDCA cycle works in such a way. 5. Quality Assurance Framework 14

 Under the de-centralized system, a powerful coordination mechanism is necessary.  Master Plan and PDCA Cycle - annual review - evaluation and recommendation by the Statistics Commission  Examination/Approval Process and Quality Assurance Framework 6. Concluding Remarks 15

Thank you for your attention ! The views expressed herein are those of the author and should not necessarily be attributed to the Japanese government. Contact: 16