Trust and reciprocity among international groups: Experimental evidence from Austria and Japan

This paper explores national identity in trust and reciprocity at the intra- and international levels by adopting a modified trust game played among groups from Austria and Japan, wherein subjects play the roles of trustor and trustee consecutively without any information feedback. Although the intranational trust levels in both countries are identical, the international trust for Japanese groups is less than that of Austrian groups. On the other hand, the international reciprocity for Japanese groups is greater than that of Austrian groups. Additionally, the Japanese reciprocation level toward Austrians is higher than that toward Japanese.

► We explore national identity in international trust and reciprocity. ► The intranational trust levels in both countries are identical. ► The international trust for Japanese groups is less than that of Austrian groups. ► The international reciprocity for Japanese groups is greater than that of Austrian groups. ► The Japanese reciprocation level toward Austrians is higher than that toward Japanese.