Population Aging, Health Care, and Fiscal Policy Reform: The Challenges for Japan

B-Tier
Journal: Scandanavian Journal of Economics
Year: 2019
Volume: 121
Issue: 2
Pages: 547-577

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We construct a transition analysis based on a general equilibrium life‐cycle model to investigate the effects of aging, and we evaluate various policy alternatives designed to lessen the negative influence of aging. In particular, we analyze reforms of insurance benefits and tax financing tools that were recently the focus of a great amount of attention and debate in Japan because of the tense financial situation there. We show that although the potential reforms improve the welfare of future generations, the political implementation of such reforms is difficult because of the large welfare costs for the current population. Our analysis suggests that a gradual reform with an intergenerational redistribution will be more politically implementable than an immediate reform.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:scandj:v:121:y:2019:i:2:p:547-577
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29