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Measuring Search Frictions Using Japanese Microdata

Author

Listed:
  • Masaru Sasaki

    (Osaka University)

  • Miki Kohara

    (Osaka University)

  • Tomohiro Machikita

    (IDE-JETRO)

Abstract

This paper estimates matching functions to measure search frictions in the Japanese labor market and presents determinants of search duration to explain the effect of unemployment benefits on a job seeker fs behavior. We employ administrative micro data that track the job search process of individuals who left or lost their job in August 2005 and subsequently registered at their local public employment service. Our finding is that the matching function would exhibit decreasing returns-to-scale for job seekers and vacancies, rather than constant return-to-scale. We also find that generous unemployment benefits lengthen (shorten) the duration of job search for job seekers who voluntarily (involuntarily) leave employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Masaru Sasaki & Miki Kohara & Tomohiro Machikita, 2011. "Measuring Search Frictions Using Japanese Microdata," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 11-07-Rev, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics, revised May 2012.
    • Handle: RePEc:osk:wpaper:1107r
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Koyo Miyoshi & Masaru Sasaki, 2016. "The Long‐Term Impacts of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games on Economic and Labor Market Outcomes," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 11(1), pages 43-65, January.
    2. Yudai Higashi, 2020. "Urbanization Effects on Job Search Decision," Discussion Paper Series DP2020-26, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University, revised Sep 2022.
    3. Okudaira, Hiroko, 2020. "Regulating the timing of job search: evidence from the labor market for new college graduates," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    4. Yudai Higashi, 2020. "Effects of region-specific shocks on labor market tightness and matching efficiency: evidence from the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake in Japan," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 65(1), pages 193-219, August.
    5. Higashi, Yudai, 2018. "Spatial spillovers in job matching: Evidence from the Japanese local labor markets," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1-15.
    6. Nasser Dine Mohamedou, 2022. "Labor mobility within Japanese regional labor markets and spillover effects," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 73(4), pages 625-645, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Job Search; Matching Model; Unemployment; Unemployment Benefits;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings

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