Intertemporal Substitution and Labor Supply in Japan

Abstract

This paper considers whether Japanese labor market data are consistent with the intertemporal substitution hypothesis. The Japanese labor market data are first tested for broad conformity with the hypothesis using the methodology of Ashenfelter and Card (1982). The results from this analysis are encouraging. Next, the hypothesis is tested using the methodology of Altonji (1982). The results from this analysis are not generally favorable to the hypothesis. Finally, an ad hoc test of whether the bonus should be considered a form of wage payment is nested in the test of the intertemporal substitution hypothesis, with the result that the bonus does not appear to elicit the same labor supply behavior as the base wage.