• Journal of Korean Society of Archives and Records Management
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.169-191
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the driving forces and main contents of the reform of the records and archives management system in Japan from the 2009 enactment of the Public Records and Archives Management Act. The key essentials of the reform can be explained in two ways. First is through the legal system, a multilayer structure of the law and guidelines to the institutional documents management regulations for an effective application to each administrative institution. The other is the Public Records and Archives Management Commission, a deliberative body that guarantees the rigorous application and enforcement of the rules and regulations. One of the remarkable outcomes from the reform is the compulsory creation of minutes of the countermeasure meetings in government agencies related to the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster, as well as the various significant cabinet meetings through a revision of the Guidelines for Public Administrative Records Management. In addition, the new construction of the National Archives of Japan and its meaning have been examined. It is being pushed ahead, with the active support of the ruling party members, through activities such as research and review meetings for improving the functions and facilities of the National Archives of Japan.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.37
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• pp.29-50
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• 2013

With the recent global threats of terrorism as well as religious conflicts, Northeast Asian countries including South Korea, China, and Japan are experiencing particularly serious security crises as demonstrated by North Korea's threats of nuclear weapons testings and long-range missile launching as well as military provocation toward South Korea such as sinking of ROKS Cheonan and bombardment of Yeonpyeong island and the territorial dispute between China and Japan over Senkaku Islands(Diaoyu Islands). As a result, Park Geun Hye Administration of South Korea and the 2nd Abe Shinzo Cabinet of Japan, both recently established, are making efforts to improve their national security and crisis management policies. One of the key elements of such efforts is the strengthening of National Security Council(NSC) or its equivalent organization as the control tower of national security policy, modeled after the NSC of the United States. This paper compares NSC organization of Korea, the U.S., and Japan and draws policy insights focusing on the current political and national security situation South Korea is facing. Although organizational structure, function, and history of NSC of each country differs, it can be inferred from this comparison that NSC-type of organizations can play an important role as a control tower of security and emergency management policies.