The number of applicants for career-track positions in the national civil service has been on a downward trend since peaking in the spring of 2012. This year it is more than 1,4300, the second lowest ever.
Governor Kawamoto of the National Personnel Authority expressed a sense of crisis, saying, "Civil servants have fallen behind in the midst of extremely fierce competition for human resources" He indicated his intention to promote further initiatives, such as expanding mid-career recruitment from private companies and rehiring retired employees.