## Section 5 – Policy Evaluation, Project Assessment, Interactive Government

### 1. Promotion of policy evaluation

On the basis of the “Basic Plan on MLIT Policy Evaluation” that aims to achieve 1) citizen-oriented efficient government of high quality, 2) promotion of result-oriented government, 3) accountability to citizens, MLIT prescribes 3 basic methods of policy evaluation, which are policy assessment (project evaluation method), policy checkup (achievement evaluation method), and policy review (comprehensive evaluation scheme), and is implementing them by combining the evaluation methods on individual public works projects and individual research and development issues. In March 2009, MLIT reviewed about 4 subjects and used 236 indexes to check on the policies regarding 13 policy targets in August of the same year. Moreover, based on the directions of policy improvement of the evaluation performed on these, MLIT rearranged the budget and performed policy assessments on 40 new policies in November of the same year $ ^{1} $ .

### 2. Severe execution of project evaluation

In order to plan further improvement of the work efficiency and implementation process transparency of individual public works projects, MLIT is building a consistent work evaluation system, which consists of evaluation at the time of new project adoption, re-evaluation and post-evaluation. Including the background data of the cost versus effect analysis of the evaluation at the time of new project adoption, re-evaluation and post-evaluation, details of the evaluation results are compiled to provide a project evaluation record and are presented on the Internet, etc.

Furthermore, in order to better the transparency of the public works project processes, MLIT plans to reflect regional opinions on the evaluation at the time of new project adoption of direct control projects, etc. and improve the pre-evaluation by third parties. At the same time, it also advances the evaluation time and publication time of direct control projects from the end of the year to the end of January.

## Outline of the project evaluation and revision of the guideline of public works projects for MLIT

## 【Purpose of project evaluation】

Enhancing the efficiency and transparency on execution of Public works.

## 【Position of project evaluation】

Part of policy evaluation system stated in the Policy Evaluation Act (enforced on April 1, 2002)

Evaluating all public works based on the project evaluation manuals etc. for each project (excluding maintenance, disaster recovery)

○Evaluation at the time of new project adoption (since 1998)

☐ Re-evaluation (since 1998)

☐ Post-evaluation (since 2003)

## 【Active announcement of evaluation results】

• The evaluation results are made public on the Internet etc. in FY2000.

• From 2004, the evaluation result details have been compiled to provide the project evaluation record including the background data of the cost/benefit analysis and are presented on the internet.

• From 2008, viewpoints when performing the re-evaluation (needs for the project such as investment effects, forecast of project process, cost reduction, etc.) were added to enhance the contents.

## < New approach to project evaluation>

Focusing on more subjective evaluation performed by a third party and reflection of local advice to improve the transparency of the project process, contributing to the review of the bill in the National Diet.

## I ntroduction of opinion sharing in major cities and prefectures

Listening to opinions about evaluation at the time of new project adoption of direct control projects from the urban and rural prefectures when they are adopted.

○ Enhancement of pre-examination by third parties

Listening to opinions about evaluation at the time of new project adoption of direct control projects from third parties. Improving verifiable data on project evaluation, evaluation committees, etc.

## ☐ Contributing to review of bill in the National Diet

Performing evaluation at the time of new project adoption and re-evaluation of the direct control projects and releasing results until the end of January.

"The guideline on evaluation of public projects of the Ministry of Transport" was revised in H21.12.24 and the above contents were prescribed.

### 3. Administrative operation open to people, and promotion of interactive government

## 1 ) MLIT Hotline Station

On the occasion of MLIT policy promotion related closely to citizens’ lives, it is important to understand citizens’ opinions and requirements to a greater extent, as well as to develop a government connected directly with citizens. Therefore, the MLIT Hotline Station has been set up and an average of 800 opinions have been received every month.