Is NPM a 'Small Government'? : A Comparative Study on the Size of Government between New Zealand and Japan

Abstract

In Japan New Public Management (NPM) tends to be understood as 'small government', but is it so? This study uses two measures, 'government expenditures' and 'the number of public servants' to examine the size of the New Zealand government from 1986 to 1999 which is said to be 'typical NPM'. It also examines the size of the Japanese government compared to New Zealand. The study finds the size of the New Zealand government has been reduced from 1986 to 1999 in terms of 'government expenditures' and 'the number of public servants'. But 'the number of public servants' has to be treated with special caution, due to its definition. The study also finds the size of the Japanese government is smaller than the New Zealand government overall. This means special caution must be taken when the size of government is discussed in Japan because the Japanese government is already small by international standards.