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Do the economic policies of Japan’s “New form of capitalism” create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution?

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  • Sasaki, Hiroaki
  • Mizutani, Aya

Abstract

In contemporary Japan, the realization of a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution (i.e., how the “new form of capitalism” should be) has been discussed. To examine the validity of economic policies suggested by the new form of capitalism, we present a Kaleckian model that considers the wage gap among workers and the retained earnings of firms, and investigate the effects of minimum wage, the rate of retained earnings, and managerial profit sharing on growth and distribution. We reveal that a decrease in the rate of retained earnings and an increase in managerial profit sharing do not lead to a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution, whereas a rise in the minimum wage increases the income share of workers and the economic growth rate. However, an increase in the minimum wage has a negative impact on employment, whereas a decline in the rate of retained earnings and an expansion of managerial profit sharing have a positive effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Sasaki, Hiroaki & Mizutani, Aya, 2025. "Do the economic policies of Japan’s “New form of capitalism” create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution?," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 501-512.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:streco:v:75:y:2025:i:c:p:501-512
    DOI: 10.1016/j.strueco.2025.08.018
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E12 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Keynes; Keynesian; Post-Keynesian; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence

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