INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT - UNITED-STATES AND JAPANESE SYSTEMS CONTRASTED

Japanese public-works systems feature advanced technology, high rates of investment and a cooperative management culture. Public-works policy is guided by political consensus, a social contract to provide welfare infrastructure, and production infrastructure for economic goals. The Japanese have longer-range plans, more cooperation in research and development and regulatory policy, and more private-sector involvement than the United States. Coordination problems are mitigated by centralization, focus on group work, and personal relationships. Our individualism, adversarial public-private arrangements, and federal system discourage these approaches. The Japanese invest in infrastructure to stimulate the economy and to subsidize maintenance. Regionalization, land-use planning, and small-systems problems seem less daunting in Japan than in the United States. The Japanese have superb public-information material, indicating a commitment to gain consensus from each citizen. They are sensitive to environmental issues, and see them as a business opportunity. Women have fewer opportunities in Japanese agencies than in the United States. Lessons for the United States: invest in infrastructure in spite of economic problems; integrate decision making; improve coordination and cooperation; encourage public-private cooperation; cut regulatory red tape; be efficient and democratic in decision making; and learn from Japanese public-works management systems.