The "Master Plan Concerning the Development of Official Statistics" (hereinafter the "Master Plan") is formulated approximately every five years based on the Statistics Act (Act No. 53 in 2007), which was completely amended in 2007, in order to comprehensively and systematically promote measures for the development of official statistics.
Recently, taking into account changes in the socio-economic situation and the status of measures related to the development of official statistics, a new Master Plan for the period starting April 2023 (hereinafter the "4th Term Master Plan") has been approved by the Cabinet.
As was the case for the last three Master Plan, the 4th Term Master Plan lists the background, necessity, future direction, and ongoing measures of initiatives, while specifying measures and policies to be taken in the next five years, ministries in charge, etc. in tables in the Appendix.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, in collaboration with other ministries, will promote efforts based on the 4th Term Master Plan to comprehensively improve the quality of official statistics that are accurate, useful, and easy to use.
The 4th Term Master Plan promotes various measures based on the following five basic perspectives, with the goal of providing "comprehensive and high-quality official statistics" in a timely and reliable manner to ensure that official statistics, as an essential informational infrastructure of society, support the appropriate decision-making of various users in society.
1 Promoting cross-ministerial development of official statistics that accurately respond to socio-economic changes
The government shall develop and improve statistics necessary to understand the social -economic landscape, which is changing due to such factors as the progress of services sector in the economy, digitalization of economic activities, and responses to global environmental issues. The government shall also steadily advance the reform of the National Accounts (GDP).
2 Improvement of the international comparability of statistics
Amid the progress of globalization, the government shall be actively involved in the process of formulating international standards, including the National Accounts, develop indicators related to the SDGs, and reflect international statistical trends in the improvement of statistics in Japan.
3 Promoting the use of statistical data, etc., from user perspectives
The government shall enhance the functions and convenience of the Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat) and facilitate the use of questionnaire information that serves the public interest while ensuring thorough information management.
4 Development of infrastructure for the production of high-quality statistics
Each ministry shall proactively work on the comprehensive quality control of statistics and standardization of the statistical production processes, as well as on the development of human resources with high expertise. Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as the central statistical system, shall provide each ministry with support and consultation services.
5 Accurate and efficient production of statistics through the use of digital technology and diverse information sources
By promoting online surveys and utilizing big data, the government shall improve the efficiency and accuracy of statistical surveys and statistical production methods, and reduce the burden on respondents.
| May. 27, 2022 | Based on the "Procedures for Deliberating the Report on the Implementation of the Statistics Act for FY 2021" (Decision by the Planning Subcommittee of the Statistics Commission), the Statistics Commission confirmed the progress of the 3rd Term Master Plan and initiated discussions for the 4th Term Master Plan. |
| May. - Dec., 2022 | The Planning Subcommittee and four working groups established under the Subcommittee discussed the basic policies of the 4th Term Master Plan in detail according to each respective field. |
| Dec. 27, 2022 | The Statistics Commission compiled the "Basic Approach for the 4th Term Master Plan - Implementation Status of the 3rd Term Plan and Basic Direction of the 4th Term Master Plan - (Opinion)" and submitted it to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. |
| Feb. – Mar., 2023 | Public Comments |
| Feb. 1, 2023 | The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications consulted the Statistics Commission on revising the Master Plan. |
| Mar. 7, 2023 | Report of the Statistics Commission to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications |
| Mar. 28, 2023 | Decision by the Cabinet Publication of the results of the Public Comments |
The various measures outlined in the 4th Term Master Plan shall be implemented through close collaboration and cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and other ministries. The Statistics Commission shall also promote these measures through follow-up activities.
In addition, as with the previous Master Plans, the progress of these measures shall be compiled and published annually by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and reported to the Statistics Commission.
