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Precautionary Motives versus Waiting Options: Evidence from Aggregate Household Saving in Japan

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  • Saito, Makoto

    (Hitotsubashi U)

  • Shiratsuka, Shigenori

    (Institute for Monetary and Econ Studies, Bank of Japan)

Abstract

Exploiting theoretical implications for saving motives under uncertainty proposed by Epstein (1980), this paper empirically examines which motive is more dominant in aggregate household savings in Japan, precautionary savings or savings as waiting options. The former motive is driven by the magnitude of risks, while the latter is promoted by the subsequent resolution of uncertainty. Empirical results indicate that saving behavior since the 1980s is more consistent with precautionary savings; however, estimation results from the behavior during the 1990s offer some evidence in favor of savings as waiting options.

Suggested Citation

  • Saito, Makoto & Shiratsuka, Shigenori, 2003. "Precautionary Motives versus Waiting Options: Evidence from Aggregate Household Saving in Japan," Monetary and Economic Studies, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, vol. 21(3), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:ime:imemes:v:21:y:2003:i:3:p:1-20
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Murata, Keiko, 2003. "Precautionary Savings and Income Uncertainty: Evidence from Japanese Micro Data," Monetary and Economic Studies, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, vol. 21(3), pages 21-52, October.
    2. MORIKAWA Masayuki, 2017. "Impact of Policy Uncertainty on Consumption and Saving Behavior: Evidence from a survey on consumers," Discussion papers 17075, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    3. Iwaisako, Tokuo & 祝迫, 得夫 & Ono, Arito & Saito, Amane & Tokuda, Hidenobu, 2016. "Impact of population aging on household savings and portfolio choice in Japan," HIT-REFINED Working Paper Series 61, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    4. Horioka, Charles Yuji, 2006. "The causes of Japan's `lost decade': The role of household consumption," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 378-400, December.
    5. Jia-dong Shea & Ya-Hwei Yang, 2006. "Deflation and Monetary Policy in Taiwan," NBER Chapters, in: Monetary Policy with Very Low Inflation in the Pacific Rim, pages 371-396, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Charles Yuji Horioka, 2004. "The Stagnation of Household Consumption in Japan," ISER Discussion Paper 0599, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University, revised Jun 2004.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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