Effects of subsidized home loans on housing decisions and efficiency in Japan: Tradeoff between quality and quantity

Abstract

First, we will present a microeconomic model of Japanese housing demand based on the Japanese home financing system. The focus of the model will be on the tradeoff between housing quality and quantity. We will derive the owner-occupied housing user cost of capital for several different subsamples. The unique feature of the model is the use of nonlinear budget constraints. Next, we will try reduced form estimation based on a composite housing demand model and a characteristic housing demand model. Estimation results indicate that those who do not receive funds from the JHCL are more price-elastic and more income-elastic for composite housing demand and floor demand. Recipients of JHLC funds have more price-elastic demand for quality as they compensate for institutional constraints on their selection of floor space. Finally, we will estimate the effect on housing demand if JHLC loan interest rates are not classified by the size of a house but are adjusted to the private loan rate and if the JHLC lends funds based on the market value of the house. We will also calculate the excess burden for each household created by the present JHLC home financing policy. Households distort their housing consumption by overconsuming quantity and underconsuming quality.