Foreign direct investment and trade in Japan: An empirical analysis based on the Establishment and Enterprise Census for 1996

Using micro-data of the Establishment and Enterprise Census, we compile new statistics on the employment of Japanese affiliates of foreign firms at the 3-digit industry level for the year 1996. We find that the existing official statistics severely underestimate inward FDI. Nevertheless, the level of inward FDI in Japan is much lower than that in the United States. The results of our regression analyses imply that by eliminating the restrictions on inward FDI and reducing government activities, Japan can increase inward FDI in the service sector. Our results also suggest that the keiretsu do not act as an impediment to inward FDI. J. Japanese Int. Economies19 (3) (2005) 414-455.