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Cultural constraints on rising income inequality: A U.S.–Japan comparison

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  • Arthur Sakamoto
  • Hyeyoung Woo
  • Isao Takei
  • Yoichi Murase

Abstract

Prior research has identified fundamental cultural and normative concepts—including wa, enryo, giri, and amae—that are typically argued to be integral to Japanese society. We advance this line of research by discussing how these traditional cultural concepts may influence labor market relations and thereby constrain the degree of income inequality in Japan relative to the U.S. Collectivist cultural attitudes are embedded in Japanese work organization, and are naturally inherited social constraints when compared to more unbridled labor market relations of the “New Economy” in the U.S. While studies of rising inequality in the U.S. and Europe consider how governmental policies impinge upon market forces in order to moderate labor market outcomes, our analysis suggests how culture may sometimes directly constrain income inequality without imposing legal regulations or instituting official programs. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2012

Suggested Citation

  • Arthur Sakamoto & Hyeyoung Woo & Isao Takei & Yoichi Murase, 2012. "Cultural constraints on rising income inequality: A U.S.–Japan comparison," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 10(4), pages 565-581, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jecinq:v:10:y:2012:i:4:p:565-581
    DOI: 10.1007/s10888-011-9204-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jeffrey A. EDWARDS & Alfredo ROMERO & Cephas NAANWAAB, 2022. "Income Inequality, The World Values Survey, And The Interaction Of Cultural Dimensions," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 22(2), pages 5-24.
    2. Raffaella Patimo, 2015. "Culture and female labour market participation," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 69(1), pages 159-166, January-M.
    3. Kovács, Olivér, 2022. "Inkluzív kormányzás az ipar 4.0 korában - Japán példája [Inclusive governance in the age of Industry 4.0 - The example of Japan]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(2), pages 255-277.

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