Consolidation of Municipality-Owned Water Suppliers in Japan

Author

Mahelet G. Fikru, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Michelle A. Phillips

Abstract

This study examines the characteristics of municipalities owning water utilities that took advantage of incentives provided by the Japanese government to consolidate. We find that economies of scale and government transfers were some of the main factors leading to consolidation of government services. This is expected given the Central Government's efforts to equalize public service levels, and the large cost savings available to municipal level water monopolies.

Recommended Citation

Fikru, M. G., & Phillips, M. A. (2016). Consolidation of Municipality-Owned Water Suppliers in Japan. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 16(3), pp. 695-702. IWA Publishing.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2015.177

Department(s)

Economics

Keywords and Phrases

Consolidation; Merger; Water utilities

Geographic Coverage

Japan

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1606-9749

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2016 IWA Publishing, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jun 2016