Search results

The employment situation in Japan continues to deteriorate, and it will take some time before recovery starts. The current economic crisis has had little negative impact on the inflow of migrant workers, both legal and illegal. The declines recorded in recent years are due more to stricter control of illegal migration in Japan and in a few sending countries. The crisis, however, has reduced the earnings of some groups of migrant workers. Illegal workers are more vulnerable because they are not protected from abuse as much as legitimate workers, nor do they usually come out to seek official services offered. More serious international efforts are required to curb the illegal flow of workers. An aggressive labor export policy may work against workers' welfare especially at the time of crisis in host economies.

This article critically examines the Lewisian turning point in light of Japan's experience since the mid-1800s. Japan reached its Lewisian turning point around 1960. Contrary to the assumptions of the theory however, the findings for Japan indicate that political factors have been more determinative of the rate of migration than purely economic ones. Prior to its turning point in 1960, international relations, war and forced repatriation were the decisive factors. Recently, though the inflow of foreign workers to fill labor shortages has increased, so also has the outflow of Japanese to accompany direct foreign investment. DFI itself is more responsive to trade barriers, exchange rates and incentives offered by host governments than to differing wage levels or labor market conditions.

What is the proper combination of imported and locally developed technology? And in what circumstances do technology imports encourage or impede the development of an indigenous technological capability? This article explores this subject in the light of visits made by the author to manufacturing companies in the United Republik of Tanzania and Zimbabwe. It reviews trends in the manufactoring sector of the two countries and discusses their policy and research implications. (DSE)

Anhand von Fallstudien aus der Automobilindustrie wird gezeigt, daß die negativen Beschäftigungseffekte der Mikroelektronik übertrieben werden und im Produktionsbereich wesentlich geringer sind als angenommen. (IAB)