Published papers

In this paper, we attempt to measure subjective minimum living standards (SMLS) in Japan, utilizing original web survey data. There are three objectives for this measurement; firstly, to compare SMLS with the public assistance (PA); secondly, to investigate the range of the concept depending on the line of questioning; thirdly, to identify how its equivalence scale differs from the PA. We define SMLS based on two different concepts in the survey: (a) the K level, which is reduced as much as possible, and (b) the T level, which is modest but respectable. There are three main findings. Firstly, the PA level is midway between the K and T levels, except for single households. The SMLS for single households is less than both levels, possibly suggesting that their PA benefit is relatively low. Secondly, the equivalence scale based on SMLS is insensitive to the number of children. The observation that the equivalence scale based on SMLS is relatively small is consistent with the past research on subjective equivalence scale. Thirdly, the level of SMLS is relatively insensitive to the respondents' incomes. A one percent increase in their income results in 0.2 percent increase in SMLS.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2006) analysis confirms a negative relationship across countries between the steepness of the age-wage profile and older workers' labor participation. However, Japan is exceptional in that it has a steep age-wage profile and, yet, its older workers' still have high labor force participation. This study examines why that is so. In Japan, mandatory retirement rules are prevalent but employers have discretion in substantially reducing the wages for postretirement-age workers. Among various findings, this study first confirms the presence of a negative relationship between steepness of the age-wage profile and the employment of older workers in Japan. The study also finds a negative relationship between unionization and employment rates among older workers, and between the extension of mandatory retirement ages and the employment of older workers.

In Japan, households receiving welfare benefits are not required to pay for medical services that fall within the scope of their assistance programme. The payment obligations for other low-income households may also be limited because the public health insurance system provides services in-kind. It has been argued, therefore, that these features may contribute to an increase in the nation’s healthcare expenditure. However, no strong evidence has been presented so far to support this argument. 　This study conducted a conjoint analysis based on an online questionnaire survey of households on welfare and other low-income households in general to examine how their use of medical services may be affected if they are required to make co-payments, if their co-payments rise, or if a reimbursement system is adopted. The survey participants are 2,600 people, 458 of whom are from households on welfare (as representatives of all households nationwide that are receiving welfare assistance), 1,542 from other low-income households, and 600 from middleincome households (with annual income between 6 and 12 million yen). 　The analysis has shown that, in general, an increase in co-payments would discourage people from seeking medical care. However, this relationship was not observed among middle-income households in the case of treatment of children’s cavities. 　Under a system in which patients first pay all the medical expenses in advance and later receive reimbursements, households on welfare and other low-income households in general would be less likely than middle-income households to seek medical care. Such a system would discourage welfare recipients and low-income people from seeking treatment for various medical conditions that they themselves may have and for two specific types of conditions that their children may experience, namely, rough skin and vomiting. However, it would not discourage them from seeking treatment for children’s high fevers or cavities, except in the case of cavities in children of low-income parents.