Statistics Bureau (Japan)

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The Second Government Office of the houses the headquarters of the SBJ

The Statistics Bureau of Japan or SB/SBJ (統計局, Tōkeikyoku) is the statistical agency of Japan, subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). In addition to taking censuses and large-scale sample surveys, the SBJ is in charge of the management of the public online system of official statistics, international cooperation with other countries' statistics offices, and research and publication regarding statistics. Its headquarters is in the ministry's Second Government Office (第2庁舎), in Wakamatsu-cho [ja], Shinjuku, Tokyo,[1] near Wakamatsu-kawada Station of the subway Toei Ōedo Line.[2]

Brief history of the SBJ and related organizations

Statistics Division (1871)
Tōkeiin (1881)
Cabinet Statistics Bureau (1885)
Kokuseiin (1920)
SBJ (1922–)
Statistics Commission (1946)
Statistics Standards Department (1952-1984)Statistics Council (1952)
NSTAC (1984–)
MIC Director-General (2005–)
Statistics Commission (2007–)

Japan's official statistics system is so "decentralized"[3]: 9  that various ministries and agencies have their own statistical departments. The SBJ is the oldest among them. The SBJ's chronological table[4]: 51  starts from 1871, when the pre-constitutional Meiji government founded the Statistics Division (政表課, Seihyōka)[a] under the Dajōkan (太政官) system, appointing Sugi Kōji (杉 亨二) to its director. After frequent changes in the government organization, the Cabinet Statistics Bureau (内閣統計局, Naikaku Tōkeikyoku) was established in 1885 with the Cabinet system starting. In 1920 it was reorganized as Kokuseiin (国勢院) to conduct the first Population Census (国勢調査, Kokusei Chōsa), but in 1922 it was re-reorganized to the Statistics Bureau as an agency of the Cabinet.[5]: 154–156  Since then, it has continuously used the name of Statistics Bureau (Tōkeikyoku). Despite some changes in its affiliation,[b] it has kept the identity at least since the 1880s.[7]: 71 

Among the 53 fundamental statistics (基幹統計, Kikan Tōkei) designated by the government under the Statistics Act (2007 Act No. 53),[8] the SBJ makes 12[4]: 7, 52  through statistical surveys, for example, Population Census (国勢調査, Kokusei Chōsa), Labour Force Survey (労働力調査, Rōdōryoku Chōsa), and Family Income and Expenditure Survey (家計調査, Kakei Chōsa).[c] Derived statistics produced from a mixture of existing statistics such as Population Estimates (人口推計, Jinkō Suikei) and Consumer Price Index (消費者物価指数, Shōhisha Bukka Shisū) as well as register-based statistics of companies and establishments – Statistical Business Register (事業所母集団データベース, Jigyōsho Boshūdan Dētabēsu)[11][12]: 128–131  – are also within the SBJ's coverage.

The SBJ thus conducts a number of nation-wide cyclic surveys. However, the SBJ is located in the capital and has no local branch. For nation-wide surveys, each local government's statistical division, called Tōkei Shukan (統計主管), conducts survey work in behalf of the SBJ.[13]: 15, 269  This system was started for the first Population Census in 1920 and legally established in 1947 with fiscal backup from the national budget.[9] Other ministries also use this system to conduct nation-wide surveys, unless they use their own local branch offices.[14]: 31 [3]: 16–23 

Organization[edit]

The organization of the MIC follows the Cabinet Order (2000 No. 246).[15] The following explanations are based on the articles of the Cabinet Order as on April 25, 2024, but English translations are from the information dated September 2021.[16]

The Statistical Standards Department (統計基準部, Tōkei Kijunbu) was aborted in 2005. See #MIC Director-General for Policy Planning below.

Statistical Survey Department[edit]

Based on the Article 2 of the Cabinet Order, the SBJ has the Statistical Survey Department (統計調査部, Tōkei Chōsabu) to conduct the census and surveys. The following divisions have been established under this Department (Articles 110, 115–118).

  • Population Census Division (国勢統計課, Kokusei Tōkeika) is in charge of the Population Census, Population Estimates, and other statistical surveys on population, employment, housing, and land use. (Article 116)
  • Economic Statistics Division (経済統計課, Keizai Tōkeika) is in charge of statistical surveys of companies and establishments. (Article 117)
  • Consumer Statistics Division (消費統計課, Shōhi Tōkeika) is in charge of statistics on consumers and prices including the Consumer Price Index. (Article 118)
  • Survey Planning Division (調査企画課, Chōsa Kikakuka) is in charge of a variety of derived statistics as well as general matters for this Department. (Article 115)

Other divisions[edit]

The Articles 110–114 of the Cabinet Order also have provisions about the following divisions under the SBJ.

  • Statistical Business Register Management Division (事業所情報管理課, Jigyōsho Jōhō Kanrika) is in charge of data collection regarding Statistical Business Register. (Article 112)
  • Statistics Information Utilization Promotion Division (統計情報利用推進課, Tōkei Jōhō Riyō Suishinka) is in charge of promotion of public use of statistics and microdata, publication and dissemination of knowledge about official statistics, management of the Statistical Library (統計図書館, Tōkei Toshokan). (Article 113)
  • General Affairs Division (総務課, Sōmuka) is in charge of general matters for the SBJ as well as the management of the National Statistics Center (統計センター, Tōkei Sentā) and the Statistical Research and Training Institute (統計研究研修所, Tōkei Kenkyū Kensyū-jo). (Article 111)
  • Director for Management of Statistical Information Systems (統計情報システム管理官, Tōkei Jōhō Shisutemu Kanrikan) is in charge of the information system for the SBJ and for the MIC's Director-General for Policy Planning (政策統括官, Seisaku Tōkatsukan). (Article 114)

Cooperation within the central statistical system[edit]

The SBJ also cooperates with other entities in the central government, such as the National Statistics Center (NSTAC), the Director-General for Policy Planning of the MIC, the Statistics Comission (統計委員会, Tōkei Iinkai), and the Statistical Research and Training Institute, as well as the statistical departments from various ministries.[4]: 1 

National Statistics Center[edit]

The National Statistics Center (NSTAC) was historically a segment of the SBJ specializing in data processing. In 1984, this segment was separated from the SBJ to establish the NSTAC. In 2003, it became an Incorporated Administrative Agency.[17] It processes data for various ministries including the SBJ.[3]: 13 

The NSTAC and the SBJ also collaborate to develop the Inter-Ministry Information System for Official Statistics (政府統計共同利用システム, Seifu Tōkei Kyōdō Riyō Shisutemu), the public online system for statistical surveys and data use.[4]: 10  It includes subsystems as follows:

  • Portal Site of Official Statistics: e-Stat[18]
  • Portal site for secondary use of microdata: miripo (ミクロデータ利用ポータルサイト, Mikuro Dēta Riyō Pōtaru Saito)[19]
  • Online Survey System: e-survey[20]

The Statistical Data Utilization Center (統計データ利活用センター, Tōkei Dēta Rikatsuyō Sentā)[22] is a new institution run by the SBJ and the NSTAC. It was established in 2018 in Wakayama to offer services of on-site use of microdata, training of statisticians, and consulting about the use of statistics.[4]: 27 

MIC Director-General for Policy Planning[edit]

The Statistics Act provides that the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications has the authority of planning and supervising the whole of the official statistics system, following the advice of the Statistics Commission. The minister delegates these tasks to the Director-General for Policy Planning (not to the SBJ) since 2005.[3]: 9–11 

The authority of supervision and planning of the official statistics system derived from the former Statistics Commission (1946–1952).[3]: 2–3  Since the abortion of the Commission in 1952, its responsibilities had been taken by the Commissioner of the Administrative Management Agency (行政管理庁, Gyōsei Kanri-chō) consulting the Statistics Council (統計審議会, Tōkei Shingikai), the advisory board with expert statisticians. For this purpose, the Administrative Management Agency included the Statistical Standards Department. The Department inherited the function of the Statistics Commission.[13]: 274 

As a result of the restructuring of governmental organizations in 1984, the Statistical Standards Department was merged into the SBJ. The Department had thus subordinated to the SBJ from 1984 to 2005. During this period, the government organizations were restructured again in 2001, by which the SBJ moved to the MIC.[3]: 3 

In 2005, the MIC aborted the Statistical Standards Department and transferred its functions to one of the Director-Generals of the ministry. This position was initially referred to as in charge of "Statistical Standards" (統計基準, Tōkei Kijun), but since 2021 it has been in charge of "Statistical Policy" (統計制度, Tōkei Seido).[23]

This Director-General of the MIC is also in charge of international communication with statistics offices of other countries, in collaboration with the SBJ.[24][25][3]: 6 

Statistics Commission[edit]

The new Statistics Commission was established by the full amendment of the Statistics Act in 2007.[3]: 4–5  It is a council handling the official statistics system, made up from 13 or fewer academic experts. It was a substitute for the Statistics Council, but was provided a broader authority.[26]: 20  The revision of the Statistics Act in 2018 further extended the Commission's authority to control the whole of the official statistics.[12]: 35  It manages the Master Plan Concerning the Development of Official Statistics (公的統計の整備に関する基本的な計画, Kōteki Tōkei no Seibi ni Kansuru Kihontekina Keikaku),[27] reviews the plan and process of each of fundamental statistics, maintains statistical standards such as Japan Standard Industrial Classification (日本標準産業分類, Nihon Hyōjun Sangyō Bunrui),[28] and supervises the anonymization of micro data for secondary use of statistics.[29]

Inter-ministry conferences[edit]

The statistical departments from various ministries, including the SBJ, hold conferences (各府省統計主管部局長等会議, Kaku-fu-shō Tōkei Shukan Bukyoku-chō-tō Kaigi) to discuss issues on official statistics. During 2001–2007, when the Statistics Council lost the authority to actively offer its opinion to the government as a result of the restructuring of the government organs, these inter-ministry conferences were the substantial opportunity for decisions on technical matters regarding the statistics system.[30][26]: 20 

Statistical Research and Training Institute[edit]

The Statistical Research and Training Institute has its root in the Statistics Staff Training Institute (統計職員養成所, Tōkei Shokuin Yōsei-jo) established in 1921.[31] It conducts research of statistical technologies as well as training of statisticians.[4]: 38–40 

Library and museum[edit]

The Statistical Library is officially a branch of the National Diet Library.[32][4]: 36  It holds collections related to statistics as well as unpublished tables on microfilm.[4]: 49  The Statistical Library also offers a reference service on the use of statistics of Japan. The SBJ is in charge of the management of the library.[33]

The SBJ also runs the Statistical Museum (統計博物館, Tōkei Hakubutsukan). This museum holds historical materials regarding Japan's official statistics.[4]: 37 

Publication[edit]

The SBJ compiles statistical yearbooks[34] such as Japan Statistical Yearbook (日本統計年鑑, Nihon Tōkei Nenkan),[35] Statistical Handbook of Japan,[36] and Statistical Observations of Prefectures (統計でみる都道府県のすがた, Tōkei de Miru Todōfuken no Sugata),[37] as well as reports of the censuses and surveys the SBJ conducted.[4]: 49  It has also edited books on the SBJ's history and historical documents related to official statistics.[38][39][40][41]

See also[edit]

Explanatory notes[edit]

  1. ^ Seihyō (政表 or 製表) was a Japanese translation of the word "statistics" used in the late-19th century. There were other translations used in those days, for example, kokusei (国勢), hyōki (表記 or 表紀), and sutachisuchikku (スタチスチック).[5] Instead of these, the Japanese translation of tōkei (統計) eventually became established.[6]
  2. ^ History of affiliation of the SBJ: the Cabinet (1922-1942), the Planning Institute (企画院, Kikakuin) (1942–1943), the Cabinet (1943–1947), the Prime Minister's Agency (総理庁, Sōri-chō) (1947–1949), the Office of the Prime Minister (総理府, Sōri-fu) (1949-1984), the Management and Coordination Agency (総務庁, Sōmu-chō) (1984–2001), and the MIC.[4]: 51 
  3. ^ The Vital Statisics (人口動態統計, Jinkō Dōtai Tōkei) and the Monthly Labour Survey (毎月勤労統計調査, Maigetsu Kinrō Tōkei Chōsa) were also started by the SBJ. They were respectively transferred to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (厚生省, Kōsei-shō) in 1947 and to the Ministry of Labour (労働省, Rōdō-shō) in 1948.[9] Since the two ministries were merged in 2001, the surveys have been conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Inquiry". Statistics Office. Retrieved 2019-11-17. The second government office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 19-1, Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8668
  2. ^ "Access Map". Statistics Bureau. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2016-09-26). "Outline of Japanese Official Statistics 2016". Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Policy). Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2020). Statistics for Japan's Future (PDF). id.ndl.go.jp/bib/030281536. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  5. ^ a b Shimamura, Shirō (2008). 日本統計発達史 (in Japanese). 日本統計協会. ISBN 9784822334888.
  6. ^ Miyakawa, Tadao (2017). 統計学の日本史: 治国経世への願い (in Japanese). 東京大学出版会. ISBN 9784130430395.
  7. ^ Sato, Masahiro (2022). 数字はつくられた: 統計史から読む日本の近代 (in Japanese). 東京外国語大学出版会. ISBN 9784904575956.
  8. ^ "Statistics Act (2007 Act No. 53) as of 2015". Japanese Law Translation Database System. Ministry of Justice. 2015. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  9. ^ a b Yamanaka, Shirō; Kawai, Saburō (1950). 統計法と統計制度 (in Japanese). 統計の友社. doi:10.11501/1152950.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Statistics & Other Data". Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  11. ^ Takahashi, Masao (2013). "新しい事業所母集団データベースの開発: ビジネスレジスターの更改" (PDF). 統計研究彙報 (in Japanese). 70. 総務省統計研修所: 1–18. ISSN 1348-9976. id.ndl.go.jp/bib/024821630.
  12. ^ a b Nishimura, Kiyohiko; Yamasawa, Nariyasu; Higo, Masahiro (2020). 統計 危機と改革 (in Japanese). 日経BP. ISBN 9784532135089.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a b Shimizu, Makoto (2000). 統計体系入門 (in Japanese). 日本評論社. ISBN 4535551944.
  14. ^ Sakuramoto, Takeshi; Hamamoto, Shinichi; Nishibayashi Shogo (2023). 日本の公的統計・統計調査 (in Japanese) (3 ed.). 立教大学社会情報教育研究センター. ISBN 9784866937748.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "総務省組織令 (平成12年政令第246号)". e-Gov 法令検索 (in Japanese). Digital Agency. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  16. ^ "Internal Organizations" (in Japanese). Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication. 2021. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  17. ^ "Timeline of Statistics in Japan". About NSTAC. National Statistics Center. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  18. ^ National Statistics Center. "Portal Site of Official Statistics Japan". e-Stat. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  19. ^ "ミクロデータ利用ポータルサイト (miripo)". e-Stat (in Japanese). Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Policy), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; Statistics Bureau; National Statistics Center. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  20. ^ National Statistics Center. "Portal Site of Official Statistics Online Survey". e-survey. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  21. ^ Statistics Bureau. "Outline of the Statistical Business Register". Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  22. ^ Statistics Bureau (2018). "統計データ利活用センター: 先進的なデータ利活用の推進拠点". 統計データ利活用センターHP (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  23. ^ "令和3年6月30日及び7月1日付　総務省人事". 報道資料 (in Japanese). Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  24. ^ "International Cooperation in Statistics". Statistics Bureau. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  25. ^ "国際統計、国際協力". 統計制度 (in Japanese). Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  26. ^ a b Matsui, Hiroshi (2008). 公的統計の体系と見方 (in Japanese). 日本評論社. ISBN 9784535554726.
  27. ^ "公的統計の整備に関する基本的な計画". 統計制度の企画・立案等 (in Japanese). Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  28. ^ "Japan Standard Industrial Classification". Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Policy). Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  29. ^ "匿名データの作成・提供及びオーダーメード集計". Statistics Bureau (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  30. ^ Ishibashi, Naoki (2006). "統計制度改革に向けた動きについて". 経済のプリズム (in Japanese). 19. House of Councillors, National Diet of Japan: 14–24. ISSN 1882-062X. dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1004085.
  31. ^ "Statistical Research and Training Institute". Statistics Bureau. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  32. ^ "国立国会図書館行政・司法各部門支部図書館及び分館一覧". 行政・司法各部門の職員（府省等職員）の方へ (in Japanese). National Diet Library. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  33. ^ "Statistical Library and Statistical Museum". Statistics Bureau. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  34. ^ "Statistical Compendia". Statistics Bureau. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  35. ^ Statistics Bureau. Japan Statistical Year-Book. 日本統計協会. ISSN 0389-9004. id.ndl.go.jp/ejournal/1000000000378559.
  36. ^ Statistics Bureau. Statistical Handbook of Japan. 総務省統計局. ISSN 0081-4792. dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/10319359.
  37. ^ Statistics Bureau. Statistical Observations of Prefectures. 日本統計協会. ISSN 1880-1358. dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/13123128.
  38. ^ Statistics Bureau (1951). 総理府統計局八十年史稿 (in Japanese). Statistics Bureau. doi:10.11501/3027573.
  39. ^ Statistics Bureau (1973–1990). 総理府統計局百年史資料集成 (in Japanese). 総理府統計局. doi:10.11501/11932504. ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BN01560695. (in 6 volumes)
  40. ^ Statistics Bureau (1992). 統計局・統計センター百二十年史 (in Japanese). 日本統計協会. doi:10.11501/12658379. ISBN 4822313921.
  41. ^ Statistics Bureau; National Statistics Center (2003). 統計実務変遷史 総務庁時代を中心として (昭和59年7月1日～平成15年3月31日) (in Japanese). 日本統計協会. ISBN 4822328147.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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