日本の経済変化と雇用調整 - 円高不況後30年間の実証分析 -

Abstract

This paper estimates the characteristics of employment adjustment methods and the employment adjustment speed in manufacturing firms over the 30 years since the Yen’s appreciation depression (Endaka Fukyo) and examine systems and legal regulations of employment protection in Japan. The results of this study are summarized as follows: Japanese companies take several steps when they adjust employment due to economic conditions. First, they carry out the employment adjustment by the reduction of overtime work, and then, the workers’ redeployment and relocation, followed by enforced leave, while the dismissal of workers is the last measure that Japanese companies turn to. The results by empirical analysis using time-series data support that: (ⅰ) the employment adjustment speed based on working hours, is higher than that of employee numbers; (ⅱ) we can't conclude that a change in employment structure by the increase of non-regular employment, raises the employment adjustment speed; (ⅲ) the working hours are adjusted based on the fluctuation of production, but the adjustment of employee numbers, is small and shows a lag. The features in the Japanese employment adjustment; such as long working hours and low dismissal practice, are supported by a low premium rate for overtime work, employment adjustment subsidies, and law and precedent to protect employees against dismissal.