Evidence-Based Policy Making Issues, Significance, and Targeted Policy Level

Abstract

This paper reviews the definition of evidence-based policy making (EBPM) and the state of debate to ascertain what EBPM aims to achieve. What level of policy it should be applied to and whether it is being applied are then discussed based on specific examples. Current issues of EBPM in Japan are considered from the standpoint of a policymaker who engages with EBPM as a person in charge. The discussion reveals that an effective combination of internal and external rules of thumb and a certain degree of liquidity in the budget may be used to promote EBPM effectively.