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Distributional preference in Japan

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  • Keigo Kameda
  • Miho Sato

Abstract

Using experiments developed by Engelmann and Strobel (2004), this study investigates distributional preference in Japan. We find that just over half the people in the study have a maximin preference, approximately 7 to 19% have an efficiency preference, approximately 8% have a self-interest preference, and approximately 18% chose the allocation that would reduce the payoff to the rich and the poor, given that her/his payoff would remain constant. The last preference could be interpreted as what is referred to as “malice”, “deep envy” or a “feeling of vulnerability” in behavioural economics and cross-cultural psychology.
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Suggested Citation

  • Keigo Kameda & Miho Sato, 2017. "Distributional preference in Japan," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 68(3), pages 394-408, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jecrev:v:68:y:2017:i:3:p:394-408
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/jere.12112
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    1. Yokoo, Hide-Fumi & 横尾, 英史, 2020. "Ethics of randomized field experiments: Evidence from a randomized survey experiment," Discussion Papers 2020-07, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • H61 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Budget; Budget Systems

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