Catching up in Education in the Economic Catch-up of Japan with the United States,

1890-1990
Yoshihisa Godo, Yujiro Hayami

Summary

Structure of the Paper

Section 1 The Problem and the approach
Section 2 Overview on the Evolution of the Educational System in Japan
(Background knowledge for the Quantitative Analysis)
Section 3

How Formal Education affected the growth in the stock of human capital in
Japan (based on time series data on average schooling in Japan)
What are the major characteristics of the growth in the stock of human
capital in through formal education as compared to the United States.

Section 4

Broad trends of the level of education with real GDP per capita and capitallabour ratio Compared for United States and Japan
Discuss on the basis of the trend comparisons the role of education in the
race of economic growth between newly emerging economies and advanced
economies.

Section 5 Summary

Finding and Conclusion

Implications for Developing Countries

Methodology
Type: Quantitative

Key Concepts & Bullet Points

Sustained Increases in real national income in advanced market economies depend

predominantly on improved efficiency as measured by the growth of Total Factor
Productivity (Simon Kuznets)
According to Simon Kuznets
Real National Income

Improved Efficiency

Growth in TFP

Real National Income is less dependent on Conventional Inputs (Physical Capital &
Labour in person-hours)
Investment in Education is a major source of growth in TFP Hence National Income
According to Theodore Schultz
Real National Income

Investement in Education

Improved Efficiency

Growth in TFP

The role of education may be different between the earlier and later stages of
economic growth.

There is a lack of long-term statistics on how investments in education have

affected the creation and accumulation of human capital. This data is necessary for
the analysis of the role of education in modern economic growth in entire time span.

Important Individuals

Simon Kuznets
Theodore Schultz

Important Resources

Important Definitions
Total Factor Productivity (TFP) Variable which accounts for effect in total output not
caused by traditionally measured inputs of labor and capital.
Sub-sections of Total Factor Productivity: Technology Growth and Efficiency
Alternative Names: Solow Residual, Multi-factor Productivity

Average Schooling The average number of schooling years per person in the
working-age population defined as persons between the ages of 15 and 64

GDP Per Capita

Capital Labour Ratio -

Meiji Restoration
Tokugawa Shogunate

Fukoku Kyohei , "Enrich the country, strengthen the military"), originally a

phrase (Fuguo Qiangbing) from the ancient Chinese historical work on the Warring
States period, Zhan Guo Ce (Kanjigen, Gakken Co., Ltd.), was Japan's national
slogan during the Meiji period, replacing slogan Sonn ji ("Revere the Emperor,
Expel the Barbarians")
Originating from Iwakura Mission to Europe
Shokusan Kogyo - Increase production, encourage industry. The
specific policy designed to achieve national wealth and power was called
Gakusei School System Rule 1872
Shogakko Rei (Primary School Order) 1886
Jinjo Shogakko Ordinary Primary School 4 years of Compulsory Education (Under Municipal Authority)Homogeneous General Education for everybody

Koto Shogakko Higher Primary School 2-4 years of schooling for those who completed Jinjo Shogakko
(Ordinary Primary School)- Multiple Paths Separated by Profession and Gender
Compulsory was increased to 6 years in 1907
Universities and Colleges Small fraction of children advanced to university
Vocational Schools Modelled on Technische Hochschulen
Middle Schools Segregated according to gender Only tertiary education available was girls high school graducate
course, girls higher normal schools. Limited vocational colleges. Universities were closed to girls.
Private women colleges were not allowed to attain university status

Questions for Clarification

Interesting Reading but not Important for the subject