Japan Budget Deficit

Japan budget deficit, which is prevailing in the economy is basically structural deficit and it is uncertain whether the situation will change for the better. Japan has been facing budget deficit for a long time and this has made Japan face the debt crunch.

Some essential points to ponder over:

• From the time the economic bubble in Japan collapsed, Japan budget deficit along with debts have increased manifold.
• Japan budget deficit, which is prevailing in the economy is basically structural deficit and it is uncertain if the situation will change for the better.
• Japan’s public finance is also facing threat. Chances are there may be an increase in the outstanding debts.

Japan budget deficit grew during the 1990s. After the bubble economy collapsed, the budget balance of Japan has been declining at an alarming rate. The financial balance of the Japanese government comprises budget of local governments as well as budget of the national government. The budget also includes the social security fund.

The fund allocated for social security was always in surplus . However, things have started changing. There has been marked reduction of the social security money, which was approximately, 0.8 percent excess of the gross domestic product or the GDP. In the year 1997, Japan budget deficit narrowed slightly. Japan budget deficit pertaining to the national government was recorded as 6.8 percent of the gross domestic product or the GDP in the year 1999. Japan budget deficit of the local government reduced and was recorded as 1.4 percent of the gross domestic product or the GDP in the same year.

It may be mentioned here that Japan’s budget draft usually goes to the DIET for its approval. The financial year in Japan begins in the month of April and closes in the month of March. Japan has as many as 32 Special accounting budgets and one general budget.The General accounting budget provides basic information about the fund assignment and other related information.