A lot of debates, requests and critics on Japanese Administrative Cases Litigation Act(JACLA) brought its revision, 2004. It took almost 40 years. Too narrow reviewability and standing had blocked the citizens from seeking judicial review of agency ac...
A lot of debates, requests and critics on Japanese Administrative Cases Litigation Act(JACLA) brought its revision, 2004. It took almost 40 years. Too narrow reviewability and standing had blocked the citizens from seeking judicial review of agency action.
In the process of judicial reform in Japan, the revision of JACLA was regarded as the first and foremost task. Four important purposes of this revision are enlargement of scope of review, accelaration of efficiency of review, making it easy to use and improvement of provisional relief.
Among the suggested revision items some were very successful, others not. Outstanding development is the introduction of new forms of review. When an agency ignored or rejected citizen's application for ageny action, she could bring suit seeking reversal of agency's decision. This type of judicial review could not bring direct resolution of administrative dispute even though a plaintiff was successful. Writ of mandamus, which was introduced this time, is the only useful way of relief in this kind of cases. Also prohibition suit is provided for blocking future agency action.
Korean Administrative Procedure Act(KAPA) has had much influence from that of Japan. But it can be said that a new era has opened for KAPA through the revision of JACLA. New two statutes have more difference than likeness. The KAPA is under revision process, too. The Japanese act can be a reference, but not a role model any more.
It is time to seriously ask what you can give people through Administrative Procedure. Setting the boundaries between government agency and court cannot be the primary raison d'etre of KAPA. On the contrary, relief of rights and legal interests of citizens should be the main purpose of administrative litigation Procedure. In this view Japan was successful in rebuilding the law. But bigger tasks are awaiting for courts and lawyers to construct it.