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The Global Financial Crisis and Healthcare Inequality in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Sayaka Sakoda

    (Kyoto University and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)

  • Masaoki Tamura

    (NUCB Business School)

  • Naohiko Wakutsu

    (Nagoya City University)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to clarify whether health-care inequality in Japan widens during a depression, even though Japan has a universal health-care system. To this end, we investigate the time-series fluctuations in health-care expenditure inequalities in Japan for the period 2008–2017, which includes the period during which the global financial crisis affected Japan. We construct an economy-wide inequality index comparing the actual health-care expenditure at various income levels (low, middle and high) against the estimated health-care needs. The findings of the study are as follows. First, the rich (the top 20% income class) spend far more than their estimated needs on health care, whereas the poor (bottom 20%) spend far less. Second, during the global financial crisis, health-care inequality especially among the working generation became greater in Japan, mainly because not only the low-income class but also the middle-income class (the bottom 30–60%) was unable to pay for health care.

Suggested Citation

  • Sayaka Sakoda & Masaoki Tamura & Naohiko Wakutsu, 2022. "The Global Financial Crisis and Healthcare Inequality in Japan," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 273-286, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:161:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-021-02823-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-021-02823-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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