IMF Staff Country Reports

Japan: Selected Issues

Publication Date:

November 2, 2000

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Summary:

A sustained decline in fertility rates underlies a rapid aging and decline of Japan's population. This will have profound social and economic implications. The paper illustrates the difficult situation facing Japanese fiscal policy in the years ahead. The findings of this paper indicate that there may be a role for foreign exchange interventions in providing stimulus at the current conjuncture. Deposit insurance reform is a central element in the government strategy to strengthen the Japanese banking system. The unemployment-deflation puzzle in Japan has been explained.

Series:

Country Report No. 2000/144

Subject:

Aging Deposit insurance Exchange rates Financial crises Foreign exchange Labor Pensions Population and demographics Wages