慶應義塾大学　経済学部　PEARL入試　志望理由書　提出例(土居 丈朗先生ゼミ向け)

慶應義塾大学　経済学部　PEARL入試　志望理由書　提出例(土居 丈朗先生ゼミ向け)

Dr. Takero Doi

Professor

Department of Economics, Public Economic Theories

Keio University

Dear Professor Doi,

I am writing this letter with an intention to explain my purpose in applying for Department of Economics at Keio University, specializing in Public Economy and related studies. I have read a number of your published work which I was very intrigued by. I would be more than grateful if you could kindly give this a consideration. 

Abstract
Japan has a debt level globally never seen before, and this country’s reliance on debt is sustained by its government urging citizens to buy JGB’s (Japanese Government Bonds). The two biggest issues Japan has been facing are A. Declining income due to stagnant economy and shrinking population 2. Financing rural areas and local governments. With many changes brought by Abe, did we solve or correctly addressed these long standing issues? 

Discussion
The largest holder of Japan’s foreign debts used to be the U.S., but recently China has taken that title. Since Japanese bonds provide artificially low yield, most holdings held by foreign governments are based solely on political purposes instead of profit generation. According to investopedia research, compared to other countries with homogenous population such SouthKorea, you can see that the Japanese government collect only 18.3% of GDP as tax, which ranks 28th out of 30 developed countries. However, because of the ageing population, in terms of social security expenditure index of developed countries, Japan ranks among the top 15. On top of foreign investment, how are we really financing this?

Findings
In 2013, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe launched a serious effort, known as “Abenomics”, to help end the country’s deflationary struggle. Abenomics has been structured as a series of stimulus and reform packages and the initiative continues to be carried out with three critical factors of ongoing focus – wage growth creation, the right value-added tax (VAT) rate, and support for appreciating the value of the Japanese yen. In fact, VAT has been modified based on goods value and category, and consumption tax has gone up to 10% from 5% in the last few years which would help finance as opposed to shrinking income coming from smaller young population and its income tax. Moreover, as Japan has one of the highest % of saving in all developed countries similar to Germany, the government launched a new regional tax system with more liquidy where individuals can choose which region to invest their citizen tax to help boost local small to mid-sized businesses. Finally, the bar of income tax redemption of housewives has been raised in order to collect more tax from housewives making money.  All these changes are expected to add more than 5% to the nation’s income to execute other missions promised especially natural disaster and health related.

Summary
Rather than trying to create a magic potion to cure the current debt problem, inaction may very well be the best choice and continuing on the current effort to promote consumption, wage raise and tax payment may re-boost the economy and solve biggest issues gradually. We all have a rough idea on how much we pay as tax, hear about policy changes but never sure whether its breakdown is appropriate to secure the nation’s future. I believe it is an important mission for us to study our fiscal policy and its financing. It would be extremely exciting for me to take part in your seminar to conduct meaningful research based on valid data points. Thank you very much for taking the time and I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Thank you and Kind Regards,

*わが国の所得税の控除が所得格差是正に与える影響－配偶者控除見直しに関するマイクロ・シミュレーション分析ー, 土居 丈朗, 経済研究 （岩波書店)  68 （ 2 ） 150 – 168 2017年04月