Earnings Inequality Analysis Using Administrative Tax Data in Japan (Japanese)

Sagiri Kitao, Michio Suzuki and Tomoaki Yamada

Discussion Papers (Japanese) from Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)

Abstract: This paper analyzes the trends in income inequality in Japan using administrative data collected by local governments, covering approximately 5.5 million individuals across 24 municipalities. By leveraging a large-scale panel of administrative tax records, which includes both high- and low-income individuals, who are often underrepresented in traditional survey data, we conduct a detailed analysis of earnings inequality, its evolution over time, and its life-cycle patterns. Based on data from 2011 to 2023, we find that despite a temporary decline in incomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, many municipalities experienced a trend toward narrowing inequality. The analysis also reveals that income levels and dispersion increase with age, and that substantial regional disparities persist. This study demonstrates administrative data’s potential as a valuable resource for research on income inequality in Japan.

Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2025-09
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eti:rdpsjp:25020

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