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Journal of Financial Intermediation Vol. 12 No. 1 2003

Determinants of the choice of bankruptcy procedure in Japan

Jean Helwege1; Frank Packer2

1 Department of Finance, 812 Fisher Hall, Ohio State University, 2100 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA · 2 Nikko Salomon Smith Barney, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

This paper investigates close bank–firm relations (keiretsu) among troubled Japanese firms by examining the type of bankruptcy. In Japan, creditors control the fate of the bankrupt firm, which may be costly if managers destroy firm value to avoid bankruptcy or, alternatively, if creditors liquidate too often. Recently, researchers have argued that keiretsu banks prop up weak firms that should fail. We find that bankrupt firms affiliated with keiretsu banks are neither subject to excessive liquidation by overly powerful banks nor slower to be liquidated. Keiretsu banks liquidate via the courts often, perhaps to avoid political repercussions and organized crime.

DOI
10.1016/s1042-9573(02)00008-6
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
96-120
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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