IS JAPAN RETAIL SECTOR TRULY DISTINCTIVE

Based on statistical analysis of data for 16 countries, Japan's ubiqui ty of retail stores is largely predicted by its relatively small dwell ings, geographic concentration, and high number of commercial vehicles relative to private ones, controlling for the effects of population d ensity. All are factors that economic theory associates with density o f retail outlets. This evidence refutes the widespread view that Japan 's structure of retail trade is determined by cultural, historical, an d regulatory factors unique to Japan. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.