Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers Creation-Date: 2007-10-11 Revision-Date: 2008-07-14 Number: 07-080/3 Author-Name: André van Stel Author-Email: ast@eim.nl Author-Name: Roy Thurik Author-Email: thurik@few.eur.nl Author-Name: Ingrid Verheul Author-Email: verheul@few.eur.nl Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus University Rotterdam, and EIM, Zoetermeer Author-Name: Lendert Baljeu Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus University Rotterdam Title: The Relationship between Entrepreneurship and Unemployment in Japan Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between entrepreneurship (as measured by fluctuations in the business ownership rate) and unemployment in Japan for the period between 1972 and 2002. We find that, although Japan’s unemployment rate has been influenced by specific exogenous shocks, the effects of entrepreneurship on unemployment are not different when compared to other OECD countries. In the past, small firms in Japan benefited from the protective environment of the keiretsu structure. This secure environment no longer exists, and a new market environment conducive to new venture creation and growth has not yet been established. We argue that the Japanese government should actively stimulate an entrepreneurial culture. Classification-JEL: J23; J64; L26; O11; O53 Keywords: entrepreneurship; business ownership; unemployment; Japan File-Url: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/07080.pdf File-Format: application/pdf File-Size: 496191 bytes Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20070080