In the wake of its wartime destruction, Japan experienced a period of strong industrialization in the 1950s and 1960s, reaching an exceptionally high level of per-capita GNP or per-capita income. After the two oil crises, the growth rate of the economy declined, and it has since stabilized. During this stable period, Japan's macroeconomic performance, in particular the level of unemployment, has been considerably better than that of other industrialized countries. This economic performance can provide us with valuable information on the role of wages and of the labor market. In this book, Professor Tachibanaki investigates the empirical and theoretical issues of wage determination and wage differentials in Japan since the War, concentrating on recent developments. He also examines the relationship between the role of wages and such features of the labor market as employment and unemployment. Japan's institutional singularities - including what the OECD called the `Three Sacred Treasures of the Imperial Houses': nenko-joretsu (seniority system), life-long employment, and enterprise unionism - are investigated on both efficiency and equity grounds. The Japanese authorities collect a great variety of macroeconomic data, including data relating to the labor market which is categorized according to a large number of demographic variables and firm characteristics. Professor Tachibanaki reports and analyses the data that is publicly available, including the Ministry of Labor's annual Wage Structure Survey of over one million employees, enriching it with its own research observations. An introduction to the main characteristics of the labor market, industrial relations system, and wage in Japan, explaining the degree of difference from Europe and the USA, establishes a framework for labor economists relatively new to the study of Japan. Detailed explanations of wage determination according to sex, age, education, experience, occupation, size of firm, and performance takes the reader beyond stylized assumptions about average behavior in Japan.

Wage Determination and Distribution in Japan

Business & Money

Tachibanaki, Toshiaki

Economics

Oxford University Press

Contrary to general belief, and to Japan's own self-image, inequality of income and wealth distribution in Japan has grown in the past two decades. In this well-written and accessible book, Toshiaki Tachibanaki analyzes the movement toward more income inequality in Japan and offers policy recommendations to counter the trend. Tachibanaki, Japan's leading expert on income distribution, draws on new statistical data covering wealth, inheritance, farm and business holdings, salary, and other relevant factors, to demonstrate that Japan can no longer be thought of as a "90 percent middle-class society."  The book, updated and substantially expanded from Tachibanaki's 1998 Japanese bestseller, discusses the history and the causes of Japan's increasing income inequality and analyzes the effect on wealth distribution of intergenerational transfer. Employing cross-national comparisons to the United States and Europe throughout, Confronting Income Inequality in Japan examines the contrast between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome, evaluates equality of opportunity in terms of education and occupation, analyzes the relationship between income distribution and income growth, discusses the role of hierarchical positions in organizations, and considers the differences between welfare states and nonwelfare states. Concluding with policy recommendations, Tachibanaki argues against the belief of some economists that greater inequality is unavoidable if Japan is to achieve a strong economic recovery.

Confronting Income Inequality in Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Causes, Consequences, And Reform

Mit Pr

A leading Japanese economist analyzes Japan's trend toward greater inequality of income and wealth distribution and makes policy recommendations for countering it.
Contrary to general belief, and to Japan's own self-image, inequality of income and wealth distribution in Japan has grown in the past two decades. In this well-written and accessible book, Toshiaki Tachibanaki analyzes the movement toward more income inequality in Japan and offers policy recommendations to counter the trend. Tachibanaki, Japan's leading expert on income distribution, draws on new statistical data covering wealth, inheritance, farm and business holdings, salary, and other relevant factors, to demonstrate that Japan can no longer be thought of as a "90 percent middle-class society." The book, updated and substantially expanded from Tachibanaki's 1998 Japanese bestseller, discusses the history and the causes of Japan's increasing income inequality and analyzes the effect on wealth distribution of intergenerational transfer. Employing cross-national comparisons to the United States and Europe throughout, Confronting Income Inequality in Japan examines the contrast between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome, evaluates equality of opportunity in terms of education and occupation, analyzes the relationship between income distribution and income growth, discusses the role of hierarchical positions in organizations, and considers the differences between welfare states and nonwelfare states. Concluding with policy recommendations, Tachibanaki argues against the belief of some economists that greater inequality is unavoidable if Japan is to achieve a strong economic recovery.

Confronting Income Inequality in Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Causes, Consequences, and Reform (Mit Press)

MIT Press]

Increasingly ageing populations and a slowing rate of growth in the macroeconomy are forcing advanced countries to reconsider their social security programmes. The need for detailed examination of the possible reforms and initiatives has never been greater. This book brings together internationally-renowned scholars to evaluate the effect of recent social security reforms in advanced countries (pension programmes in particular) and to suggest policy reforms for the future. Including detailed studies of countries including Australia, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia, the UK and the USA, this book will be of essential interest to economists and policy-makers working in pension financing reform, and public economics more generally.

Social Security Reform in Advanced Countries: Evaluating Pension Finance (Routledge Contemporary Economic Policy Issues)

Ihori, Toshihiro

Routledge

The New Paradox for Japanese Women: Greater Choice, Greater Inequality

I-House Press

International House of Japan

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