In 2014, the second cabinet of Abe Shinzō created the Naikaku jinjikyoku, the Cabinet Bureau of Personnel Affairs. It gave politicians the initiative in the appointment of senior officials.
The news site nippon.com reports both views of the change. Some observe that officials, with their promotions at stake, began to watch the reactions of politicians. The same article notes that open interference in appointments by zoku giin, lawmakers tied to a policy field, and by influential former officials has faded.