明治初年太政官制下の卿輔関係についての一考察

―参議省卿兼任制導入後の工部省を中心に―

抄録

In contemporary Japan, it is the important issue whether political initiative is preferable or bureaucratic initiative is. When we think about this issue, it is essential to consider the relation between a minister and administrative vice-minister. This paper explores its historical relation, going back to the beginning, specifically focusing on the relation between Kyo (minister) and Taiyu (vice-minister) of Kobusyo (the ministry of public works and technology) under the Dajokan system in the early Meiji years. This paper clarifies the following three points:
  First, through the examination of the rules and the institution, it can be cleared that October 1873 was the beginning of the relation between a minister and administrative vice-minister. Second, the actual situation of minister and vice-minister of Kobusyo from 1874 to the early 1875 can be elucidated by the analysis of Tetsudoryo-jimubo (the approval document about the railroad policy in Kobusyo). It turns out that the minister Ito Hirobumi was able to cooperate with the vice minister, Yamao Youzou, while controlling the ministry and its policy well. Finally, it can be surveyed by a limited consideration that those relations in other ministries would be the same as Kobusyo's case.