Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration is merging and abolishing advisory councils set up by previous governments within the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office. These bodies, created to implement key policies under the Prime Minister's Office, have led to organizational bloat, with many becoming dormant.
As of November 26, 2025, the Cabinet Secretariat alone had 88 councils headed by the prime minister or the chief Cabinet secretary, up from 39 in January 2015. In response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara has instructed a review of these bodies, aiming for a significant reduction.
The councils were established to implement key policies under the leadership of the Prime Minister's Office, but they have resulted in bloated organizations, with many going dormant. The government is examining the introduction of a sunset clause for future councils, which would automatically eliminate them if they meet preset conditions.
This initiative is part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration's efforts to streamline governance. By consolidating and abolishing these proliferated bodies, the aim is to improve policy-making efficiency and reduce administrative burdens.
