civil servant
Japanese Name:
公務員
Romaji Name:
koumuin
Description
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A public servant, or government employee, is a person who works for a government organization to provide services and support to the public. They may work in areas like administration, education, law enforcement, or social services.
History
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The idea of civil service — hiring people to work for the government — has existed for thousands of years.
Ancient China:
One of the earliest civil service systems was developed in Imperial China.
During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), China introduced civil service exams to choose government officials based on merit rather than family background.
This system influenced many countries, including Japan and later Europe.
Japan:
In ancient Japan, public officials served the Emperor and court.
During the Edo period (1603–1868), government roles were mainly held by the samurai class.
After the Meiji Restoration (1868), Japan adopted a modern bureaucracy inspired by Western civil service models.