Society and Economy
Volume/Issue:
Volume 35: Issue 4
Japan’s competitiveness: Trends and challenges
Authors:
Josef Bič University of Economics Department of World Economy Prague Czech Republic

Search for other papers by Josef Bič in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
Zuzana Stuchlíková University of Economics Department of World Economy Prague Czech Republic

Search for other papers by Zuzana Stuchlíková in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Pages:
471–492
Online Publication Date:
29 Nov 2013
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2013
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/socec.35.2013.4.3
Keywords:
competitiveness; Japan; innovation; debt; ageing; trade; O53; P17
Restricted access

There are many definitions and concepts of competitiveness in the literature. This article focuses on multilevel concepts of a country’s competitiveness, especially the broad concept of the World Economic Forum (WEF). This concept is explained through the example of Japan. The objective of the article is to discuss various concepts of a country’s international competitiveness, as well as to describe and analyse the competitiveness level of the current Japanese economy. The authors try to identify key competitiveness-related issues in the context of the country’s macroeconomic development in the last decade.

  • Adams, F. G. - Klein, L. R. - Kumasaka, Y. - Shinozaki, A. (2008): Accelerating Japan’s Economic Growth — Resolving Japan’s Growth Controversy. New York: Routledge.

    Shinozaki A. , '', in Accelerating Japan’s Economic Growth — Resolving Japan’s Growth Controversy , (2008 ) -.

  • Berkmen, S. P. (2012): Bank of Japan’s Quantitative and Credit Easing: Are They Now More Effective? IMF Working Paper WP/12/2.

    Berkmen S. P. , '', in IMF Working Paper WP/12/2 , (2012 ) -.

  • Bič, J. (2008): Konkurenceschopnost a její mìøení. In: Steinmetzová, E. (ed): Bariéry konkurenceschopnosti. Prague: Oeconomica.

    Bič J. , '', in Bariéry konkurenceschopnosti , (2008 ) -.

  • BOJ (2013a): Japan’s Balance of Payments for 2012. Tokyo: BOJ.

    '', in Japan’s Balance of Payments for 2012 , (2013 ) -.

  • BOJ (2013b): BOJ Time-Series Data Search. Tokyo: BOJ.

    '', in BOJ Time-Series Data Search , (2013 ) -.

  • CAO (2011a): Annual Report on the Japanese Economy and Public Finance 2011. Tokyo: Cabinet Office of Japan.

    '', in Annual Report on the Japanese Economy and Public Finance 2011 , (2011 ) -.

  • CAO (2011b): Comprehensive Package Responding to the Yen Appreciation. Tokyo: Cabinet Office of Japan.

    '', in Comprehensive Package Responding to the Yen Appreciation , (2011 ) -.

  • CAO (2012a): Annual Report on the Japanese Economy and Public Finance 2012. Tokyo: Cabinet Office of of Japan. Available at: www5.cao.go.jp/keizai3/2012/0727wp-keizai/summary.html . [Access 9.2.2013.]

    '', in Annual Report on the Japanese Economy and Public Finance 2012 , (2012 ) -.

  • CAO (2012sb): Road to Recovery. Tokyo: Cabinet Office of Japan.

    '', in Road to Recovery , (2012 ) -.

  • CAO (2013a): Joint Statement of the Government and the Bank of Japan on Overcoming Deflation and Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth. Tokyo: Cabinet Office of Japan.

    '', in Joint Statement of the Government and the Bank of Japan on Overcoming Deflation and Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth , (2013 ) -.

  • CAO (2013b): Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform — Ending Deflation and Revitalizing the Economy. Tokyo: Cabinet Office of Japan.

    '', in Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform — Ending Deflation and Revitalizing the Economy , (2013 ) -.

  • CAO (2013c): SNA (National Accounts of Japan). Tokyo: Cabinet Office of Japan.

    '', in SNA (National Accounts of Japan) , (2013 ) -.

  • Carpenter, S. (2008): Why Japan Can’t Reform. Inside the System. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.

    Carpenter S. , '', in Why Japan Can’t Reform. Inside the System , (2008 ) -.

  • Causa, O. - Cohen, D. (2004): Overcoming Barriers to Competitiveness. Paris: OECD.

    Cohen D. , '', in Overcoming Barriers to Competitiveness , (2004 ) -.

  • Doi, T. - Hoshi, T. - Okimoto, T. (2011): Japanese Government Debt and Sustainability of Fiscal Policy. NBER Working Paper No. 17305.

    Okimoto T. , '', in NBER Working Paper No. 17305 , (2011 ) -.

  • ESRI (2013): Guide for Using Diffusion Indexes and Composite Indexes. ESRI.

    '', in Guide for Using Diffusion Indexes and Composite Indexes , (2013 ) -.

  • Garelli, S. (2008): Competitiveness of Nations: The Fundamentals. In: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. IMD

    Garelli S. , '', in IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook , (2008 ) -.

  • Garside, W. R. (2012): Japan’s Great Stagnation. Forting Ahead, Falling Behind. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

    Garside W. R. , '', in Japan’s Great Stagnation. Forting Ahead, Falling Behind , (2012 ) -.

  • Hayashi, F. - Prescott, E. C. (2002): The 1990s in Japan: A Lost Decade. Review of Economic Dynamics 5(1): 206–235

    Prescott E. C. , 'The 1990s in Japan: A Lost Decade ' (2002 ) 5 Review of Economic Dynamics : 206 -235 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Hnát, P. (2011): Global Imbalances and their Evolution During the Current Crisis. Köz-Gazdaság 6(4): 95–110.

    Hnát P. , 'Global Imbalances and their Evolution During the Current Crisis ' (2011 ) 6 Köz-Gazdaság : 95 -110 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Hurioka, C. Y. (2006): The Causes of Japan’s Lost Decade: The Role of Household Consumption. NBER Working Paper No. 12142.

    Hurioka C. Y. , '', in NBER Working Paper No. 12142 , (2006 ) -.

  • IMF (2012a): Japan: 2012 Article IV Consultation. IMF, 2012.

    '', in Japan: 2012 Article IV Consultation , (2012 ) -.

  • IMF (2012b): Japan: Financial Sector Stability Assessment Update. IMF Country Report No. 12/210.

    '', in IMF Country Report No. 12/210 , (2012 ) -.

  • KANTEI (2013a): Japan Revitalization Strategy — Japan is back (Overview). Tokyo: Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet.

    '', in Japan Revitalization Strategy — Japan is back (Overview) , (2013 ) -.

  • KANTEI (2013b): Japan Revitalization Strategy (Examples of major policies). Tokyo: Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet.

    '', in Japan Revitalization Strategy (Examples of major policies) , (2013 ) -.

  • KANTEI (2013c): Japan Revitalization Strategy — Japan is Back (Full Text). Tokyo: Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet.

    '', in Japan Revitalization Strategy — Japan is Back (Full Text) , (2013 ) -.

  • Kashiwase, K. - Nozaki, M. - Tokuoka, K. (2012): Pension Reforms in Japan. IMF Working Paper WP/12/285.

    Tokuoka K. , '', in IMF Working Paper WP/12/285 , (2012 ) -.

  • Kingston, J. (2013): Contemporary Japan. History, Politics, and Social Change since the 1980s. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Kingston J. , '', in Contemporary Japan. History, Politics, and Social Change since the 1980s , (2013 ) -.

  • Kohama, H. (2007): Industrial Development in Postwar Japan. New York: Routledge.

    Kohama H. , '', in Industrial Development in Postwar Japan , (2007 ) -.

  • Klvačová, E. (2007): Konkurenceschopnost zemí a světových regionů: racionální cíl, nebo dobře ukrytá past? Scientia et Societas 3(7): 23–35.

    Klvačová E. , 'Konkurenceschopnost zemí a světových regionů: racionální cíl, nebo dobře ukrytá past? ' (2007 ) 3 Scientia et Societas : 23 -35 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Klvačová, E. (2008): Doktrína konkurenceschopnosti národních státu a nekterá její úskalí. In: Klvačová, E. - Malý, J. (eds): Domnělé a skutečné bariéry konkurenceschopnosti EU a ČR. Prague: Vzdělávací středisko na podporu demokracie.

    Klvačová E. , '', in Domnělé a skutečné bariéry konkurenceschopnosti EU a ČR , (2008 ) -.

  • Koo, R. C. (2009): The Holy Grail of Macroeconomics. Lessons from Japan’s Great Recession. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

    Koo R. C. , '', in The Holy Grail of Macroeconomics. Lessons from Japan’s Great Recession , (2009 ) -.

  • Krugman, P. (1994): Competitiveness: A Dangerous Obsession. Foreign Affairs 73(2): 28–44.

    Krugman P. , 'Competitiveness: A Dangerous Obsession ' (1994 ) 73 Foreign Affairs : 28 -44 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Kushida, K. E. (2011): Leading without Followers: How Politics and Market Dynamics Trapped Innovations in Japan’s Domestic “Galapagos” Telecommunications Sector. Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade 11(3): 279–307.

    Kushida K. E. , 'Leading without Followers: How Politics and Market Dynamics Trapped Innovations in Japan’s Domestic “Galapagos” Telecommunications Sector ' (2011 ) 11 Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade : 279 -307 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Lopez-Claros, A. - Porter, M. - Schwab, K. (2005): The Global Competitiveness Report 2005–2006. Geneva: WEF.

    Schwab K. , '', in The Global Competitiveness Report 2005–2006 , (2005 ) -.

  • Malý, J. (2008). Pochybnosti nad způsobem sestavování žebříčků konkurenceschopnosti. In: Klvačová, E. - Malý, J. (eds): Domnělé a skutečné bariéry konkurenceschopnosti EU a ČR. Prague: Vzdelávací středisko na podporu demokracie.

    Malý J. , '', in Domnělé a skutečné bariéry konkurenceschopnosti EU a ČR , (2008 ) -.

  • Keizer, A. B. (2010). Changes in Japanese Employment Practices. Beyond the Japanese Model. New York: Routledge.

    Keizer A. B. , '', in Changes in Japanese Employment Practices. Beyond the Japanese Model , (2010 ) -.

  • Kutasi, G. (2010): U.S. interest rate policy in the 2007–2009 crisis. Public Finance Quarterly 55(1): 85–103.

    Kutasi G. , 'U.S. interest rate policy in the 2007–2009 crisis ' (2010 ) 55 Public Finance Quarterly : 85 -103 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Lam, W. R. (2011): Bank of Japan’s Monetary Easing Measures: Are They Powerful and Comprehensive? IMF Working Paper 11/264.

    Lam W. R. , '', in IMF Working Paper 11/264 , (2011 ) -.

  • Matsutani, A. (2006): Shrinking-population Economics: Lessons from Japan. Tokyo: International House of Japan.

    Matsutani A. , '', in Shrinking-population Economics: Lessons from Japan , (2006 ) -.

  • METI (2012): Vision of Economic Society. “Maturity” and “Diversity” — Value Creation Economy. Tokyo: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

    '', in Vision of Economic Society. “Maturity” and “Diversity” — Value Creation Economy , (2012 ) -.

  • METI (2013a): White Paper on International Economy and Trade 2013. Tokyo: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

    '', in White Paper on International Economy and Trade 2013 , (2013 ) -.

  • METI (2013b): Trends in the Market for the Robot Industry in 2012 — Details of Survey Results. Tokyo: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

    '', in Trends in the Market for the Robot Industry in 2012 — Details of Survey Results , (2013 ) -.

  • MHLW (2011): White Paper on the Labour Economy 2011. Tokyo: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

    '', in White Paper on the Labour Economy 2011 , (2011 ) -.

  • MHLW (2012a): Annual Health, Labour and Welfare Report 2011–2012. Tokyo: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

    '', in Annual Health, Labour and Welfare Report 2011–2012 , (2012 ) -.

  • MHLW (2012b): White Paper on the Labour Economy 2012. Tokyo: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

    '', in White Paper on the Labour Economy 2012 , (2012 ) -.

  • Neumann, P. - Žamberský, P. - Jiránková, M. (2010): Mezinárodní ekonomie. Prague: Grada.

    Jiránková M. , '', in Mezinárodní ekonomie , (2010 ) -.

  • NIER (2013): Education in Japan. Tokyo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research. http://www.nier.go.jp/English/EducationInJapan/Education_in_Japan/Education_in_Japan.html . (Accessed 05/04/2013.)

    '', in Education in Japan , (2013 ) -.

  • OECD (2012): OECD Economic Outlook — 2/2012. Paris: OECD.

    '', in OECD Economic Outlook — 2/2012 , (2012 ) -.

  • OECD (2013a): OECD Economic Survey — Japan 2013. Paris: OECD.

    '', in OECD Economic Survey — Japan 2013 , (2013 ) -.

  • OECD (2013b): OECD Economic Outlook — 1/2013. Paris: OECD.

    '', in OECD Economic Outlook — 1/2013 , (2013 ) -.

  • OECD (2013c): OECD Statistics. Paris: OECD.

    '', in OECD Statistics , (2013 ) -.

  • Porter, M. E. (1990): The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: Free Press Edition.

    Porter M. E. , '', in The Competitive Advantage of Nations , (1990 ) -.

  • Porter, M. E. - Takeuchi, H. - Sakakibara, M. (2004): Can Japan Compete? New York: Basic Books.

    Sakakibara M. , '', in Can Japan Compete? , (2004 ) -.

  • Porter, M. - Schwab, K. (2008): The Global Competitiveness Report 2008–2009. Geneva: WEF.

    Schwab K. , '', in The Global Competitiveness Report 2008–2009 , (2008 ) -.

  • Rosenbluth, F. M. (2011): Japan in 2010: Messy Politics but Healthier Democracy. Asian Survey 51(1): 41–53.

    Rosenbluth F. M. , 'Japan in 2010: Messy Politics but Healthier Democracy ' (2011 ) 51 Asian Survey : 41 -53 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Salsberk, B. - Chandler, C. - Chhor, H. (2011): Reimagining Japan: The Quest for a Future That Works. San Francisco: VIZ Media.

    Chhor H. , '', in Reimagining Japan: The Quest for a Future That Works , (2011 ) -.

  • Schwab, K. (2009): The Global Competitiveness Report 2009–2010. Geneva: WEF.

    Schwab K. , '', in The Global Competitiveness Report 2009–2010 , (2009 ) -.

  • Schwab, K. (2012): The Global Competitiveness Report 2012–2013. Geneva: WEF.

    Schwab K. , '', in The Global Competitiveness Report 2012–2013 , (2012 ) -.

  • Schwab, K. (2013): The Global Competitiveness Report 2013–2014. Geneva: WEF.

    Schwab K. , '', in The Global Competitiveness Report 2013–2014 , (2013 ) -.

  • Shirakawa, M. (2012): Demographic Changes and Macroeconomic Performance: Japanese Experiences. Monetary and Economic Studies 30.

    Shirakawa M. , '', in Monetary and Economic Studies , (2012 ) -.

  • Statistics Bureau (2012): Japan Monthly Statistics. Tokyo: Statistics Bureau and Statistical Research and Training Institute, www.stat.go.jp/english/ data/getujidb/index.htm#d . (Accessed 25/02/2013.)

    '', in Japan Monthly Statistics , (2012 ) -.

  • Statistics Bureau (2013a): Japan Statistical Yearbook 2013. Tokyo: Statistics Bureau and Statistical Research and Training Institute, http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/nenkan/1431-02.htm . (Accessed 25/02/2013.)

    '', in Japan Statistical Yearbook 2013 , (2013 ) -.

  • Statistics Bureau (2013b): Statistical Handbook of Japan. Tokyo: Statistics Bureau and Statistical Research and Training Institute, http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/index.htm . (Accessed 25/02/2013.)

    '', in Statistical Handbook of Japan , (2013 ) -.

  • Stuchlíková, Z. (2011): Japonská bublina na trzích aktiv a dùsledky jejího prasknutí poèátkem 90. let 20. Století. Scientia et Societas 7(4): 91–107.

    Stuchlíková Z. , 'Japonská bublina na trzích aktiv a dùsledky jejího prasknutí poèátkem 90. let 20. Století ' (2011 ) 7 Scientia et Societas : 91 -107 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Stuchlíková, Z. (2013a): Japanese Economy in 2000–2008. Scientia et Societas 9(2).

    Stuchlíková Z. , '', in Scientia et Societas , (2013 ) -.

  • Stuchlíková, Z. (2013b): Japonská ekonomika v letech 2007–2010. Acta Oeconomica Pragensia 21(2): 55–68.

    Stuchlíková Z. , 'Japonská ekonomika v letech 2007–2010 ' (2013 ) 21 Acta Oeconomica Pragensia : 55 -68 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Suzuki, Y. (2011): Japan’s Financial Slump. Collapse of the Monitoring System under Institutional and Transition Failures. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.

    Suzuki Y. , '', in Japan’s Financial Slump. Collapse of the Monitoring System under Institutional and Transition Failures , (2011 ) -.

  • UNESCO (2011): World Data on Education — Japan. VII Ed. 2010/11. http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/WDE/2010/pdf-versions/Japan.pdf . (Accessed 25/02/2013.)

    '', in World Data on Education — Japan , (2011 ) -.

  • Vymětal, P. - Žák, M. (2005): Instituce a výkonnost. Politická ekonomie 53(4): 545–566.

    Žák M. , 'Instituce a výkonnost ' (2005 ) 53 Politická ekonomie : 545 -566 .

  • World Bank (2013): Doing Business 2013. Economy Profile: Japan. 10th Edition. Washington: World Bank.

    '', in Doing Business 2013. Economy Profile: Japan , (2013 ) -.

  • Yoshikawa, H. (2002): Japan’s Lost Decade. Tokyo: The International House of Japan/LTCB International Library.

    Yoshikawa H. , '', in Japan’s Lost Decade , (2002 ) -.
  • Collapse
  • Expand
Cover Society and Economy
Society and Economy
Print ISSN:
1588-9726
Online ISSN:
1588-970X

Editor-in-chief: Balázs SZENT-IVÁNYI

Co-Editors:

  • Péter MARTON (Corvinus University, Budapest)
  • István KÓNYA (Corvinus University, Budapest)
  • László SAJTOS (The University of Auckland)
  • Gábor VIRÁG (University of Toronto)

Associate Editors:

  • Tamás BOKOR (Corvinus University, Budapest)
  • Sándor BOZÓKI (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Bronwyn HOWELL (Victoria University of Wellington)
  • Hintea CALIN (Babeş-Bolyai University)
  • Christian EWERHART (University of Zürich)
  • Clemens PUPPE (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
  • Zsolt DARVAS (Bruegel)
  • Szabina FODOR (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Sándor GALLAI (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • László GULÁCSI (Óbuda University)
  • Dóra GYŐRFFY (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • György HAJNAL (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Krisztina KOLOS (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Alexandra KÖVES (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Lacina LUBOR (Mendel University in Brno)
  • Péter MEDVEGYEV (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Miroslava RAJČÁNIOVÁ (Slovak University of Agriculture)
  • Ariel MITEV (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Éva PERPÉK (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Petrus H. POTGIETER (University of South Africa)
  • Sergei IZMALKOV (MIT Economics)
  • Anita SZŰCS (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • László TRAUTMANN (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Trenton G. SMITH (University of Otago)
  • György WALTER (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Zoltán CSEDŐ (Corvinus University Budapest)
  • Zoltán LŐRINCZI (Ministry of Human Capacities)

Society and Economy
Institute: Corvinus University of Budapest
Address: Fővám tér 8. H-1093 Budapest, Hungary
Phone: (36 1) 482 5406
E-mail: balazs.szentivanyi@uni-corvinus.hu

Indexing and Abstracting Services:

  • CABELLS Journalytics
  • DOAJ
  • International Bibliographies IBZ and IBR
  • International Political Science Abstracts
  • JSTOR
  • SCOPUS
  • RePEc
  • Referativnyi Zhurnal

 

2023  
Scopus  
CiteScore 1.5
CiteScore rank Q2 (Sociology and Political Science)
SNIP 0.496
Scimago  
SJR index 0.243
SJR Q rank Q3

Society and Economy
Publication Model Gold Open Access
Submission Fee none
Article Processing Charge 900 EUR/article with enough waivers
Regional discounts on country of the funding agency World Bank Lower-middle-income economies: 50%
World Bank Low-income economies: 100%
Further Discounts Sufficient number of full waiver available. Editorial Board / Advisory Board members: 50%
Corresponding authors, affiliated to an EISZ member institution subscribing to the journal package of Akadémiai Kiadó: 100%
Subscription Information Gold Open Access

Society and Economy
Language English
Size B5
Year of
Foundation		 1972
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 4
Founder Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem
Founder's
Address		 H-1093 Budapest, Hungary Fővám tér 8.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1588-9726 (Print)
ISSN 1588-970X (Online)

Monthly Content Usage

Abstract Views Full Text Views PDF Downloads
Oct 2024 75 0 0
Nov 2024 25 0 0
Dec 2024 18 0 0
Jan 2025 35 0 0
Feb 2025 34 0 0
Mar 2025 21 0 0
Apr 2025 0 0 0