RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · 1991 · 267 citations · 0 references
Social SciencesEconomicsPublic PolicyFiscal PolicyInternational TradeMacroeconomicsAsian EconomiesInternational MacroeconomicsJapanese HistoryJapanese StudiesComparative Perspective AnalysisInternational Business CyclesInternational Trade EconomicsInternational Trade FinanceJapanese EconomyMacroeconomic ConditionsTrade Conflicts
The book offers a comparative, mainstream‑economics view of Japan’s economy. The author aims to analyze Japan’s markets and economic policies after reviewing its historical context. The analysis employs standard economic concepts to compare Japan and the United States, integrating cultural factors and scrutinizing macro growth, cycles, monetary and fiscal policies, industrial structures, labor markets, savings, investment, and trade. The book concludes by examining contemporary issues such as Japan’s distribution system, asset prices, and US‑Japan trade conflicts.
A comparative perspective and an analytic approach grounded in mainstream economics distinguish this broad, accessible introduction to the Japanese economy. Throughout, Ito utilizes standard economic concepts in comparing Japan with the United States in terms of economic performances, underlying institutions, and government policies. Referring to cultural factors where appropriate, Ito subjects the basic facts about the Japanese economy to modern theoretical and empirical scrutiny, discussing macroeconomic growth, business cycles, monetary and fiscal policies, industrial structures and policies, the labor market, saving and investment, and international trade and finance. Ito reviews relevant aspects of Japan's history before launching into a broad analysis of the country's markets and its economic policies. He concludes with a look at such contemporary economic issues as the Japanese distribution system, Japanese asset prices, and US-Japan trade conflicts.