Overview
Since the global economic crisis in 2008, the trade structure of Japan has been changing drastically. Exports sharply declined in 2009 due to the worldwide recession and are in a downward trend after a recovery in 2010, whereas the rapid increase of imports, mainly due to surge in imports of mineral fuels, is continuing. Consequently, in 2011 for the first time since 1981, Japan recorded a trade deficit, which is ongoing.
Behind the transformation of the trade structure, it is expected that firms' behaviors related to overseas activity (trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), etc.) have also been altered drastically.
In this project, we will compare the characteristics and behaviors of Japanese firms engaged in overseas activity before and after 2009, and investigate the effect of the shrink in exports in 2009 on the Japanese economy.
April 7, 2014 - March 16, 2015
