Distribution in Japan

Several years have passed since the "store wars" over barriers to foreign products at Japanese distribution firms. Yet among English-speaking readers, how these firms operate remains a puzzle. In this book, the best Japanese scholars in their fields attempt to unravel that puzzle. Avoiding culture-based explanations, they employ a systematic and rigorous economic logic - yet, since they also avoid mathematical notation, the argument remains accessible to general readers. Collectively, the authors make four basic points: within a country, distribution is less similar than it appears. Not only does it vary enormously across industries, but it often varies within a given industry as well. Across countries, distribution is less diverse than it appears. Although appearances sometimes suggest major cross-national contrasts, on more careful analysis the differences often disappear. Distribution sometimes depends on the product involved. Because distribution functions as the principal means by which manufacturers acquire information about consumer preferences, the character of distribution can depend crucially both on demand patterns and on manufacturing technology.

The book is rich in relevant and easy-to-understand statistics, and the economic reasoning accompanying the statistics is short but helpful., ... immensely readable and even enjoyable., ... a first-rate product by several Japanese economists with a clear objective, which is to use sound economic principles to set straight the long-standing disputes and stereotyped misconceptions regarding the Japanese distribution industry., Readers who seek facts on the Japanese distribution system will find plenty in this volume.

Yoshiro Miwa: Lecturer in Economics (1976—77) and Associate Professor of Economics (1977—86), Shishu University; Associate Professor of Economics (1986—89) and Professor of Economics (1989—present), The University of Tokyo.Kiyohiko G. Nishimura: Arthur M. Okun Research Fellow, Brookings Institution (1981—82), Associate Professor of Economics (1983—94) and Professor of Economics (1994—present), The University of Tokyo.J. Mark Ramseyer: law clerk to Hon. Stephen Breyer, 1st Cir. U.S. Court of Appeals (1982—83); associate attorney, Sidley & Austin (1983—85); Fulbright Fellow, University of Tokyo Faculty of Law (1985—86); Acting Professor of Law (1986—89) and Professor of Law (1989—92), UCLA; Professor of Law (1992—97) and Harold & Marion Green Professor of International Legal Studies (1997—98), University of Chicago; Mitsubishi Professor of Japanese Legal Studies, Harvard University(1998—present).