Why are Cabinet Supporters Happy?

23 Pages Posted: 6 Feb 2015

See all articles by Yoshiro Tsutsui

Yoshiro Tsutsui

Kyoto Bunkyo University

Shoko Yamane

Kinki University

Fumio Ohtake

Osaka University - Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research

Date Written: January 30, 2015

Abstract

Using a monthly survey, this paper finds that supporters of the governing cabinet are significantly happier than non-supporters throughout our sample period. We investigate the reason and examine two hypotheses: 1) happy persons support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and 2) supporters of any governing party tend to be happy. Oaxaca decomposition analysis reveals that the difference in happiness is not attributable to the difference of attributes and personalities, rejecting hypothesis 1. On the other hand, the happiness of cabinet and anti-cabinet supporters was not significantly different after an election in which the governing party was replaced, supporting hypothesis 2.

Keywords: happiness, cabinet supporter, Oaxaca decomposition, Japan

JEL Classification: I31, D72

Suggested Citation

Tsutsui, Yoshiro and Yamane, Shoko and Ohtake, Fumio, Why are Cabinet Supporters Happy? (January 30, 2015). ISER Discussion Paper No. 923, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2561121

Yoshiro Tsutsui (Contact Author)

Kyoto Bunkyo University ( email )

Senzoku-80 Makishimacho
Uji, Kyoto 611-0041
Japan

Shoko Yamane

Kinki University ( email )

Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka 577-8502
United States

Fumio Ohtake

Osaka University - Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research ( email )

1-7 Machikaneyamacho
Toyonaka
Osaka, 560-0043
Japan

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