Japanese Economy in Transition
2015/12/14
Ryoichi Imai
International Student Center, Kyushu University
imryoichii`jisc.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Outline
We discuss the latest issues in Japanese economy. The course consists of two parts. In the first half, we review the mechanism and the consequence of the global financial crisis since 2008. In the second half we discuss the current debates such as energy policy, youth unemployment, and fiscal crisis in the politico-economic context.
Requirements and Grading Assessment (in parenthesis)
1. One presentation of the selected issues. You have to make a set of slides using Microsoft PowerPoint or equivalent software. (40%)
2. One final take-home examination – subject to change. (40%)
3. Regular attendance and participation in class discussion. (20%)
You can get two credits by completing all the requirements described above. Some students need three credits in order to transfer credits in accordance with their home university's academic rule. In that case, you have to do two presentations, which will be specified in the later stage of the course.
Schedule
The class will start with a series of my lecture. Later students will present their assignments in the class. A detailed weekly plan will be announced soon.
Part I: Economic Geography of Japan
Sorry, most readings are in Japanese m(_
_)m
1. Introduction
Kyushu Economy in the World
Introduction to the Kyushu Economy for
International Investors
Summary of Kyushu Economy 2015
2&3. Revitalizing Regional Economy
Japan Revitalization Strategy
National Strategic Special Zones (in Japanese)
Takatoshi Tabuchi
(2013) Historical Trends of agglomeration to the
capital region (in English)
Definition of Urban Area by the Ministry of
Internal Affairs (in Japanese)
Demographia
World Urban Area 2015
Population
Concentration on Urban Area (in Japanese)
Working population across industries by
prefectures (in Japanese)
GDP
by prefectures
Productivity Convergence across Prefectures in
Postwar Japan
Scale Economy in Agriculture (in Japanese)
4&5. Urban-Regional Redistribution and the Heisei
Municipal Mergers
The benefit/cost ratio by prefectures
Transfer through the special account for road
maintenance
Regional gap in the consumption tax revenue
National Tax Agency State-Regional Division of Income Taxes
(J)
- State-Regional Division of Consumption Taxes
(J)
Takero Doi
(2010) Poverty traps with Local Allocation Tax
grants in Japan (in English, but technical)
Takero Doi
(2006) Interregional Income Redistribution
Reconsidered (J)
Kazuhiko Tomiyama
(2014) Sectoral Change in Industries and Higher
Education Reform (J)
Koyotaka KOICHI (????) Development of Municipal Mergers in Japan
(in English)
Municipal Mergers and Dissolutions in Japan
(in English)
Anthony Raush
(2010) Post Heisei Merger in Japan (E)
Before and After the Heisei Municipal
Mergers (J)
Yubari, Japan: a city learns how to die (E)
Dani Rodrik
(2010) Greek Lessons for the World Economy
(E)
Population, area, density by prefectures
(J)
Aging
ranking by municipals (J)
Regional
average income ranking by municipals (J)
Regional average income tax revenue ranking by
municipals (J)
Municipals
in Tokyo (J)
Regional average income tax revenue ranking by
municipals in Tokyo (J)
Osaka
referendum causes turbulence for LDP, Komeito
Redistribution within Osaka City
(J)
6. Short
Lecture on Japanfs Automobile Industry
Toyota has an amazing History Page!
Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
WSJ on hydrogen stations
WSJ on the hydrogen-powered car: Mirai.
The Telegraph: Toyotafs driverless car
7. Tourism
Annual
Report on Tourism 2014 (J)
Policies on Tourism 2010 (J)
Concentration
of Tour Demands (J)
Economic Impacts of Tourism (J)
Dispersing
the National Holidays (J)
Yoshiro Hoshino (2015) Holidays must be dispersed (J)
Hoshino
Resorts TOMAMU (J)
NHK(2014) Is it possible to disperse holidays?
(J)
Agriturism in Ukiha, Fukuoka (J)
Ukiha-city
(J)
8 (6/3). Urban and Nationwide Railway Transportation
On
the Effects of the Shinkansen (J)
Economic Consequences of the Shinkansen
(J)
passenger transportation
share by vehicles (J)
distribution
traffic share by vehicles (J)
Accounting Report on JR Shikoku 2015
(J)
Accounting Report on JR Hokkaido 2015
(J)
Accounting
Report on JR Kyushu 2014 (J)
JR
Kyushu should not be listed on TSE before it pays back its debts (J)
Government decides to list JR Kyushu on TSE in
2016 (J)
Balance of Payment of JR Groups: East
West
Japan Railway Construction, Transport and
Technology Agency (J)
Kansai Prefectural Governors approve the
Maibara Route (J)
Seven Stars in Kyushu
Private
Resort – Tenku no Mori
Tour
Trains of JR Kyushu (J)
9 (6/10). Contents
and Culture Industry
A short lecture on Kabuki 2015
Shochiku
Kabuki Website
Kabuki
Actors (Current)
Hakata-za
Theater
Kabuki on NHK
How to watch NHK World TV
Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (2014) Contents Industry: Today and the Future
(J)
Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (2010) Toward Economic Prosperity based on Cultural
Industry (J)
The
Economics of Orchestras
Association of
Japanese Symphony Orchestras (J)
Annual Report of
the Members 2013 (J)
Annual Report of the Members 2004
(J)
Financial Reports of the New Japan
Philharmonic Orchestra (J)
League of American Orchestras
US Orchestra Facts
March 2015
Part II: Growth Strategy Debate
10
(6/17). Energy Crisis
11 (6/24). Abenomics and Japanfs growth strategy
The 10-year maturity government bonds of Japan
The Kurodafs announcement on April 4th amazed
the western media
International companies do not always create employment or bring tax revenues to the US.
The
Baumolfs Cost Disease
Iidafs comments on
the consumption tax rate rise
Macroeconomics supporting Abenomics
Jordi Gali
(2014) Thinking
the unthinkable: The effects of a money-financed fiscal stimulus
(2015) Start the presses: reconsidering a
money-financed fiscal stimulus
(2014) The
Effects of a Money-Financed Fiscal Stimulus
The Economics of
Two-Sided Markets
Rochet and Tirole (2003) Platform
Competition in Two-Sided Markets
Evans, Hagiu, and Schmalensee
(2006) Invisible Engines
Hagiu (2004) Two-Sided Platforms: Pricing and Social
Efficiency
Anderson and Coate (2005) Market
Provision of Broadcasting: A Welfare Analysis
The Increasing Share of E-commerce
(J)
Abefs economic
advisor reveals his cautious view on the China leading AIIB
Healthcare Cost Control in Japan
International
Comparison of Medicare System (J)
In Japan, All-Payer Rate Setting Under
Tight Government Control Has Proved To Be An Effective Approach To Containing Costs
Kuroda (2013) Working Hours in Japan (J)
Prescott (2002) Prosperity and Depression
Daily
Routines of Famous Creative People
Part III: Students' Presentations
12 (7/1). Revitalizing Regional Economy
Chie, Hulda, Fran
13 (7/8) Tourism and Urban and Nationwide Public
Transportation
Minhung, Jon, Matt, Atop
14 (7/15) Culture, Contents Industry, Performing Arts
Analena, Kevin, Nick, Nick, Megan, Ella
For the above three
issues,
1.
Explain your countryfs current situation.
2.
Explain the government policy on the issue.
3.
Discus the implications on Japan
15. (Thursday, 7/16, 3rd period)
Energy Policy
Marie-Sarah, Yoko, Samantha, Tinella, Michael
Sources (samples):
Japanfs Energy Policy (Federation of the Electric Power Companies of Japan)
Japanfs Energy Policy and Its
Implications for the Economy
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Google Scholar – Japan Energy Policy
Japan Nuclear Crisis and Energy Future
Approach
1. How do people in your country get energy?
2. Explain your countryfs energy policy
3. What are the peoplefs opinions in your country about nuclear energy? Did they change after Japanfs Fukushima accident?
4. Is it worth investing your money into natural – recyclable energy?
Final Take-Home Examination (NEW 2015)