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A Comparison of the Japanese and U.S. Business Cycles

Author

Listed:
  • R. Anton Braun

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo)

  • Julen Esteban-Pretel

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo)

  • Toshihiro Okada

    (School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University)

  • Nao Sudou

    (Bank of Japan and Boston University)

Abstract

The paper constructs a consistent set of quarterly Japanese data for the 1960-2002 sample period and compares properties of the Japanese and U.S. business cycles. We document some important differences in the adjustment of labor input between the two countries. In Japan most most of the adjustment is in hours per worker of males and females and also in employment of female. In the U.S. most of the adjustment is in employment of both males and females. We formulate, estimate and analyze a model that makes distinction between the intensive and extensive margin and allows for gender differences in labor supply. A weak empirical correlation between hours per worker and employment in Japanese data is a puzzle for our theory.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Anton Braun & Julen Esteban-Pretel & Toshihiro Okada & Nao Sudou, 2005. "A Comparison of the Japanese and U.S. Business Cycles," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-392, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    • Handle: RePEc:tky:fseres:2005cf392
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kosaka Michiru Sakane, 2013. "News-driven international business cycles," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 13(1), pages 1-43, May.
    2. Gunji, Hiroshi & Miyazaki, Kenji, 2017. "Why do Japanese women work so much less than Japanese men? A business cycle accounting approach," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 45-55.
    3. Sugo, Tomohiro & Ueda, Kozo, 2008. "Estimating a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model for Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 476-502, December.
    4. Shuhei Aoki & Julen Esteban-Pretel & Tetsuji Okazaki & Yasuyuki Sawada, 2009. "The Role of the Government in Facilitating TFP Growth during Japan's Rapid Growth Era," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-622, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    5. Keisuke Otsu, 2011. "Accounting for Japanese Business Cycles: A Quest for Labor Wedges," Monetary and Economic Studies, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, vol. 29, pages 143-170, November.
    6. Hara, Naoko & Ichiue, Hibiki, 2011. "Real-time analysis on Japan's labor productivity," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 107-130, June.
    7. Aoki, Shuhei & Kitahara, Minoru, 2008. "Measuring the Dynamic Cost of Living Index from Consumption Data," MPRA Paper 9802, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Esteban-Pretel, Julen & Nakajima, Ryo & Tanaka, Ryuichi, 2010. "TFP growth slowdown and the Japanese labor market in the 1990s," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 50-68, March.
    9. Gunji, Hiroshi & Miyazaki, Kenji, 2011. "Estimates of average marginal tax rates on factor incomes in Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 81-106, June.
    10. Maria Teresa Punzi, 2013. "Housing Market and Current Account Imbalances in the International Economy," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(4), pages 601-613, September.
    11. Dima, Bogdan & Dima, Ştefana Maria, 2017. "Energy consumption synchronization between Europe, United States and Japan: A spectral analysis assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1261-1271.
    12. Otsu, Keisuke, 2011. "Working Effort and the Japanese Business Cycle," Economic Review, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 62(1), pages 20-29, January.
    13. Ko, Jun-Hyung & Miyazawa, Kensuke & Vu, Tuan Khai, 2012. "News shocks and Japanese macroeconomic fluctuations," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 292-304.
    14. Ko, Jun-Hyung & Murase, Koichi, 2013. "Great Moderation in the Japanese economy," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 10-24.

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