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Reforms and Crises in Government Statistics: The Case of Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Masahiro Higo

    (Bank of Japan 535 Ichinofunairi-chou Nakagyou-ku, Kyoto 604-0924 Japan)

  • Kiyohiko G. Nishimura

    (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies 7-22-1 Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8677 Japan)

  • Yukie Sakuragawa

    (Atomi University 1-9-6 Nakano Niiza-city, Saitama 352-8501)

Abstract

The calculation of government statistics faces multiple challenges in many countries, of which Japan may have the most acute. This paper examines comprehensive statistics reforms in Japan, especially regarding GDP and related statistics, to identify and rectify the problems. This paper then explains the recent revelation of serious errors in vital wage statistics caused by mismanagement in the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and examines their microeconomic and macroeconomic impacts. These statistical errors led to a crisis in public relations, as well as to potentially jeopardizing the functioning of the system of government statistics.

Suggested Citation

  • Masahiro Higo & Kiyohiko G. Nishimura & Yukie Sakuragawa, 2020. "Reforms and Crises in Government Statistics: The Case of Japan," Asian Economic Papers, MIT Press, vol. 19(2), pages 21-37, Summer.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:asiaec:v:19:y:2020:i:2:p:21-37
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Tamai, Yoshihiro & Shimizu, Chihiro & Nishimura, Kiyohiko G., 2017. "Aging and Property Prices: A Theory of Very Long Run Portfolio Choice and Its Predictions on Japanese Municipalities in the 2040s," HIT-REFINED Working Paper Series 65, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    3. Yoshihiro Tamai & Chihiro Shimizu & Kiyohiko G. Nishimura, 2017. "Aging and Property Prices: A Theory of Very-Long-Run Portfolio Choice and Its Predictions on Japanese Municipalities in the 2040s," Asian Economic Papers, MIT Press, vol. 16(3), pages 48-74, Fall.
    4. Yoshihiro Tamai & Chihiro Shimizu & Kiyohiko G. Nishimura, 2017. "Portfolio Choice and Its Predictions on Japanese Municipalities in the 2040s," CARF F-Series CARF-F-404, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
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