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Incidence of Strict Quality Standards: Protection of Consumers or Windfall for Professionals?

Author

Listed:
  • Kawaguchi, Daiji

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Murao, Tetsushi

    (Kyushu University)

  • Kambayashi, Ryo

    (Hitotsubashi University)

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of upgrading product quality standards on product and professional labor-market equilibriums when both markets are regulated. The Japanese government revised the Building Standards Act in June 2007, requiring a stricter review process for admitting the plans of large-scale buildings. This regulatory change increased the wage of certified architects in Tokyo by 30% but did not increase their total hours worked because of an inelastic labor supply. The stricter quality standards created a quasi-rent for certified architects and owners of condominiums at a cost to consumers. Evidence suggests that the stricter quality standards increased the transaction price of used condominiums by 15% in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Suggested Citation

  • Kawaguchi, Daiji & Murao, Tetsushi & Kambayashi, Ryo, 2013. "Incidence of Strict Quality Standards: Protection of Consumers or Windfall for Professionals?," IZA Discussion Papers 7443, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7443
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    Cited by:

    1. Morikawa, Masayuki, 2018. "Occupational licenses and labor market outcomes in Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 45-56.
    2. Trey Malone & Antonios M. Koumpias & Per L. Bylund, 2019. "Entrepreneurial response to interstate regulatory competition: evidence from a behavioral discrete choice experiment," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 172-192, April.
    3. MORIKAWA Masayuki, 2017. "Occupational Licenses and Labor Market Outcomes," Discussion papers 17078, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    4. D. Mark Anderson & Kerwin Kofi Charles & Michael McKelligott & Daniel I. Rees, 2022. "Safeguarding Consumers Through Minimum Quality Standards: Milk Inspections and Urban Mortality, 1880-1910," NBER Working Papers 30063, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Anderson, D. Mark & Charles, Kerwin Kofi & McKelligott, Michael & Rees, Daniel I., 2022. "Safeguarding Consumers through Minimum Quality Standards: Milk Inspections and Urban Mortality, 1880-1910," IZA Discussion Papers 15295, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    product standard; safety regulation; incidence of government regulation; labor market of professionals;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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