The following are six important elements Japanese democracy lacks. Also called boards or committees, these are independent administrative bodies. They have a degree of legislative and juridical authority, and are designed to dilute power. There are also numerous commissions on a state, county, and municipal level. The minutes of meetings are disclosed, and meetings are often opportunities for citizens to express their opinions.
Commissions also have a role in the release of administrative information.
When seeking information, citizens first go to the commission in charge of the bureau or department in question. In essence, commissions are a means for civil participation and a check on the bureaucracy. One cannot even begin to count the total number of public hearings being held if those on a federal, county, and municipal level are included. In Japan there are hardly any public hearings. Those that do occur, do so only in form.