Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of the Japanese Distribution System

本研究建立了一个分析日本分配制度的新框架，其中：(1)用经济学的基本原理解释了制度内部运行的机制，同时(2)突出了日本分配制度的特质特征。因此，这项研究超越了以往的研究，这些研究只是简单地报告了交易行为和其他现象的细节，而不是解释它们。这项研究的基本结果被总结在一本名为《日本的分配系统》的书中，这本书由东京大学出版社出版。这本书由四个部分组成；对日本分配制度的现状进行实证研究，对分配制度的特质特征进行理论分析，对政府管制进行调查，对信息技术革命性发展的影响进行分析。结果表明，日本分配制度的发展是生产者和贸易商对日本经济快速增长的理性反应，但从社会福利的角度来看，日本分配制度的绩效远不令人满意。

This research established a new framework of analysing the distribution system in Japan in which (1) the mechanism operating inside the system is explained in the first principles of economics, but at the same time (2) the idiosyncratic characteristics of the Japanese system are highlighted. Thus, this research went beyond previous ones which simply reported details of trading practices and other phenomena instead of explaining them. The basic results of this research were summarized in a book, "The Distribution System in Japan," published by the University of Tokyo Press.This book consisted of four parts ; empirical studies about the present state of the Japanese distribution system, theoretical analysis of idiosyncratic characteristics of ten found in the system, investigation about government regulations, and analysis of impact of revolutionary developments in information technology. The results showed th the Japanese distribution system was developed as a rational response producers and traders to a rapid economic growth of Japanese economy However, from the viewpoint of social welfare, the performance of the panese distribution system was far from satisfacTory.