Structural Barriers to Wage Income Growth in Japan: Japan

May 18, 2023

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Format: Chicago

Rui Xu, and Kaustubh Chahande. Structural Barriers to Wage Income Growth in Japan: Japan, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2023) accessed September 19, 2024

Summary

Stagnant income growth has limited Japan’s growth potential and reflation efforts. This paper dissects the wage dynamics of different labor groups and identifies the structural barriers to income growth. Although average income growth has been weak due to the rise of part-time workers and their declining hours, real wages per hour have risen across all labor groups, with the most gain seen among part-time and female workers. The weak income growth is largely driven by structural factors, including disincentives for second earners in the social security system, pension policies, and more broadly the dual labor market structure. Policies to address these structural barriers are key to boost income growth in Japan.

Subject: Employment, Income, International organization, Labor, Labor markets, Labor supply, Monetary policy, National accounts, Wages

Keywords: Distortions, Dual labor market, Employment, Growth potential, Income, Income growth, Labor markets, Labor supply, Price spiral, Secondary income earners, Shrinking gender pay gap, Structural barriers, Wage dynamics, Wage growth, Wages, Work style reforms

Publication Details

Pages:

15
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Selected Issues Paper No. 2023/031
Stock No:

SIPEA2023031
ISBN:

9798400241734
ISSN:

2958-7875

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