Optimal Nonlinear Income Taxation and Heterogeneous Preferences

An attempt is made to find a nonlinear optimal income taxation structure for the Japanese income taxation system, assuming that individuals have heterogeneous preferences between income and leisure. Attention is paid to the horizontal equity considerations and the implications for income as distinguished between skilled and unskilled labour.
JEL Classification Numbers: H20, H55, I31.     

Spatial inequality, globalization, and footloose capital

This paper shows the equivalence of spatial inequalities in industrial location and in income by revisiting the home market effect (HME) without any homogeneous good based on a reconstructed footloose capital model. In this simple framework, spatial inequalities in industrial location and in income are the HMEs in terms of firm share and wage, respectively. We show that the larger country has a more-than-proportionate share of firms and a higher wage. Furthermore, both the wage differential and the industrial location in the larger country evolve in an inverted U-pattern when transport costs decline. Finally, we analytically examine the effects of trade liberalization on the welfare and show that both countries may gain from globalization.     

Potential for videophones in Japan: A service proposal

The author proposes the introduction of a videophone communication service to cater for workers temporarily relocated away from their homes and families. An NTT market survey suggests that there is a perceived need for such a service. If the toll for the service is kept low, and communication centres are easily accessible, significant use of videophones may be expected in Japan.     

Product Downsizing and Hidden Price Increases: Evidence from Japan's Deflationary Period

In this paper, we empirically examine the extent to which product downsizing occurred during the deflationary period in Japan, as well as the effects of product downsizing on prices and quantities sold. Using scanner data on prices and quantities for all products sold at about 200 supermarkets over the last 10 years, we find that about one third of product replacements were accompanied by a size/weight reduction. We also find that a 1‐percentage point larger size/weight reduction is associated with a 0.45‐percentage point larger price decline, resulting in an effective price increase. Finally, we show that the quantities sold decline with product downsizing, and that the responsiveness of the quantity sold to size/weight changes is almost the same as the price elasticity, indicating that consumers are as sensitive to size/weight changes as they are to price changes. Our results suggest that the Japanese consumer price index may be downwardly biased rather than upwardly biased.     

An econometric study of automated stabilization policies in Japan

Zusammenfassung Eine ?konometrische Studie über automatisierte Stabilisierungspolitik in Japan. — In der vorliegenden Abhandlung versucht der Autor, die Kontroverse über die Wirksamkeit der Stabilit?tspolitik (Stabilisierung durch Regelmechanismen oder durch Ermessensentscheidungen) aufzuhellen. Im Abschnitt I wird ein ?konometrisches Modell für die ?stop-go policy? entwickelt, wobei auch die gesch?tzten Ergebnisse diskutiert werden. Im Abschnitt II wird das Wesen der ?stop-go policy? in Japan w?hrend der Nachkriegsperiode unter Verwendung der Ergebnisse des vorhergehenden Kapitels dargestellt.

---

Resumen Un estudio econométrico sobre la politica de estabilización automatizada en el Japon. — En el presente trabajo el autor trata de aclarar la controversia sobre la eficacia de una politica de estabilización (ya esté ésta sujeta a mecanismos automáticos o a decisiones discrecionales). La primera parte ofrece un modelo econométrico para la política ?stop and go? y la discusión de los parámetros estimados. En la segunda parte el autor présenta las características de la política ?stop and go? en el Japón en el periodo de la posguerra, para lo cual hace uso de los resultados obtenidos en la primera parte.

---

Résumé Une étude économétrique de la politique de stabilisation automatisée au Japon. — Dans cet article l’auteur cherche à éclaircir la controverse concernant l’efficacité de la politique de stabilisation (stabilisation automatisée contre instruments discrétionnaires). Dans la première section, on présente un modèle économétrique pour la politique de ?stop-go?, y compris une discussion des résultats estimés. En utilisant les résultats de ce premier chapitre, on discute, dans la deuxième section, la nature de la politique de ?stop-go? telle qu’elle fut pratiquée au Japon pendant la période d’après-guerre.

---

Riassunto Uno studio econometrico sulla politica di stabilizzazione automatizzata in Giappone. — Nel presente studio, l’autore cerca di chiarire la controversia sull’ efficacia della politica di stabilità (stabilizzazione per mezzo di meccanismi normativi o per mezzo di decisioni discrezionali). Nel primo capitolo viene sviluppato un modello econometrico per la ?stop-go-policy?, laddove sono discussi anche i risultati valutati. Nel secondo capitolo viene rappresentata l’essenza délia ?stop-go-policy? in Giappone durante il periodo postbellico applicando i risultati del capitolo precedente.

     

Technological diversification and assimilation of spillover technology: Canon's scenario for sustainable growth

Under the paradigm shift from an industrial society to an information society in the 1990s, contrary to the decrease of profits in Japan's electrical machinery firms, only Canon demonstrated its increasing trend. This contrasting performance corresponds to Canon's another contrast with respect to increasing technological diversification while reverse trends in other electrical machinery firms. These contrasts suggest us that Canon's technological diversification strategy can be the source of high level of its profits.Prompted by this hypothetical view, this paper analyzes Canon's scenario for sustainable growth and attempts to elucidate its technological diversification dynamism with special attention to its contribution to high level of profits. On the basis of the identification of the correlation between technological diversification and assimilation of spillover technology, comparative empirical analyses are conducted focusing on the consequence of technological diversification and development trajectory in Japan's leading electrical machinery firms over the last two decades.