Kenzo Abe

Tariff Reform in a Small Open Economy with Public Production

This paper examines the welfare effects of the reduction of the highest tariffs and the uniform change of all tariffs in a small open economy with public production. Using the restricted GNP and expenditure functions, the author shows that such tariff reforms can improve the welfare of the economy if the public production is initially abundant. A change in the public production, as well as a change in the distortion of tariff structures, is shown to affect the welfare of the economy. Copyright 1992 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.

A Public Input as a Determinant of Trade

This paper examines how the difference in the level of the public input supplied by the government affects the trade patterns between the countries. By the use of the decomposition of the comparative advantage due to the public input, the author clarifies the determinants of trade in the public input economy.

A gradual switching regression model with a flexible transition path

Abstract In this paper, we set up a switching regression model with a transition path specified by a polynomial of time. To select the order of a polynomial, the minimization principle of Akaikes information criterion (AIC) and Schwarzs criterion (SC) is used. The model is applied to an import demand equation for Japan. It is shown that using a flexible transition path can yield a more plausible result than using a transition path specified by a linear function of time.

The Target Rates of Tariff and Tax Reform

This paper derives the target rates for the simultaneous reform of tariffs and commodity taxes in a small open economy with an endogenous public good. These target rates are independent of consumer preference for the public good but the reform increases welfare. As a special case, welfare is increased by the proportional reduction of all tariffs if it is accompanied by the uniform change of commodity taxes toward the ratio of government revenue to either private consumption or private production. The author also presents tariff and tax reforms that would lead the economy to the first-best if applied continuously. Copyright 1995 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.

Gap states in undoped amorphous silicon studied by below-gap modulated photocurrent spectroscopy

Abstract The energetic distribution and nature of dangling-bond states in undoped a-Si: H have been investigated by a newly developed gap-state spectroscopy which is based on the frequency-resolved spectrum of modulated photocurrent with below-gap photoexcitation. The energy scale is directly specified by the energy of the below-gap light populating the particular gap states. The result has led to the conclusion that the peak of the gap-state distribution associated with doubly occupied dangling bonds (D-) is located about 0•5 eV below the conduction band edge. The analysis for the pre-exponential factor of the thermal emission rate of electron from the D- centre suggests that the emission occurs in two stages through excited states.

Energetic distribution of dangling bond states in undoped amorphous silicon

Abstract Frequency-resolved modulated photocurrent spectroscopy has been introduced to investigate the gap states distribution in undoped a-Si:H. The result shows that the D− centre has a near-Guassian distribution centered at about 0.5 eV below the conduction band edge. The deduce DOS exhibits characteristics structures including the D− centre over a wide range of the energy band gap.

International Transfer, Environmental Policy, and Welfare

This paper examines the effects of international transfer on pollution permits, which are determined non‐cooperatively by a donor and a recipient. First, we show that the untied international transfer decreases the pollution permits of the recipient, and may be welfare‐improving for both countries if pollution is transboundary. Second, we introduce a full‐compensatory emission‐contingent transfer and show that it may reduce the emission of pollution in the recipient country and may increase the welfare of the donor, while keeping the recipients welfare constant.

Changes in the localized states and their trapped carrier distributions by light soaking in a‐Si p‐i‐n junction solar cells

A new technique for the quantitative characterization of the gap states in a‐Si p‐i‐n junction solar cells has been developed. The measurement is directly correlated with electronic activities of dangling bond states in the i‐layer of solar cells, namely by below‐gap modulated and transient photocurrent processes. Energy levels and trapped charge densities of the dangling bond center are clearly identified. By use of this technique, effect of light soaking on carrier trapping and distribution of the dangling bond states has been studied. A series of technical data and model of related phenomena are presented and discussed.

Trade Liberalization and Environmental Regulation on International Transportation

Incorporating pollution emissions from international transportation into a model of strategic trade and environmental policies, we investigate the effect of trade liberalization and environmental regulation on national welfare and the environment. Our model includes imperfectly competitive markets for international transportation and final products. We find that trade liberalization may reduce each countrys welfare unless some level of environmental regulation on international transportation is in place. When international trade is liberalized initially, a mutual increase in the common emission tax rates may improve each countrys welfare. However, when international trade is highly protected initially, imposing an emission tax may reduce welfare.

Anatomy of tax incidence in the initially distorted economy of variable returns to scale

Abstract In this paper we examine the incidence of the corporate income tax in the initially distorted economy of variable returns to scale by using Hatta and Haltiwangers (1982) decomposition. We demonstrate that the larger the degree of the returns to scale of the corporate sector is, the more likely it is that capital bears a heavier burden of the corporate income tax than labor. It is shown, in particular, that if the sector operates under sufficiently strong increasing returns to scale, then capital always bears more of the burden of the tax.