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Income Inequality Trends and their Challenges to Redistribution Policies in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Tetsuo Fukawa

    (National Institute of Population and Social Security Research)

  • Takashi Oshio

    (Kobe University)

Abstract

This article is an overview of income inequality trends during the 1980s and 1990s and a discussion of their challenges to redistribution policies in Japan. The key results are summarized as follows. First, a widening disparity in market income for the working-age population has been driving rising income inequality in society as a whole, while population aging has added to the uptrend. Second, wide income inequality for the aged population reflects high rates of co-residency and labor force participation among the elderly. This unique feature to the Japanese elderly explains the fact that population aging has led to a rise in overall inequality measures. Third, the current scheme of redistribution policies is less effective for reducing income inequality compared to other countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries (OECD), leaving distribution of disposable income relatively uneven in Japan.

Suggested Citation

  • Tetsuo Fukawa & Takashi Oshio, 2007. "Income Inequality Trends and their Challenges to Redistribution Policies in Japan," Journal of Income Distribution, Ad libros publications inc., vol. 16(3-4), pages 9-30, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:jid:journl:y:2007:v:16:i:3-4:p:9-30
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    File URL: http://jid.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/jid/article/view/7228
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Miyazaki, Takeshi & Kitamura, Yukinobu, 2014. "Redistributive Effects of Income Tax Rates and Tax Base 1984-2009: Evidence from Japanese Tax Reforms," Discussion Paper Series 610, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    2. Oshio, Takashi & Kobayashi, Miki, 2009. "Income inequality, area-level poverty, perceived aversion to inequality, and self-rated health in Japan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(3), pages 317-326, August.
    3. Abe, Yukiko, 2012. "A cohort analysis of male labor supply in Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 23-43.
    4. Takeshi Miyazaki & Yukinobu Kitamura & Taro Ohno, 2019. "Income Tax Reforms and Redistribution by Age Group: Evidence from Japan," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 70(1), pages 105-122, March.
    5. Abe, Yukiko, 2011. "The Equal Employment Opportunity Law and labor force behavior of women in Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 39-55, March.
    6. Takashi Oshio & Miki Kobayashi, 2011. "Area-Level Income Inequality and Individual Happiness: Evidence from Japan," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 633-649, August.
    7. Miyazaki, Takeshi & Kitamura, Yukinobu & 北村, 行伸 & Ohno, Taro, 2016. "Tax Reforms, Redistribution and Population Aging : Evidence from Japan," Discussion Paper Series 645, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Japan; income inequality; income redistribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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