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Education and Later-Life Mortality: Evidence from a School Reform in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Masuda, Kazuya

    (Hitotsubashi University)

  • Shigeoka, Hitoshi

    (University of Tokyo)

Abstract

We examine the mortality effects of a 1947 school reform in Japan, which extended compulsory schooling from primary to secondary school by as much as 3 years. The abolition of secondary school fees also indicates that those affected by the reform likely came from disadvantaged families who could have benefited the most from schooling. Even in this relatively favorable setting, we fail to find that the reform improved later-life mortality up to the age of 87 years, although it significantly increased years of schooling. This finding suggests limited health returns to schooling at the lower level of educational attainment.

Suggested Citation

  • Masuda, Kazuya & Shigeoka, Hitoshi, 2023. "Education and Later-Life Mortality: Evidence from a School Reform in Japan," IZA Discussion Papers 16310, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    education; later-life mortality; secondary school; Japan; regression discontinuity design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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