An input-output approach to energy efficiency in the U.S.A. and Japan (1960–1980)

Input-output tables for the U.S.A. and Japan are used to estimate changes in energy efficiency during the period 1960–1980. We used a method of Pasinetti which takes into account changes in the energy efficiency with which additions to capital stock are produced. Although we find substantial improvements in energy efficiency in both countries after 1970, the pace of improvement slowed in the U.S. after 1975, while rapid improvements continued in Japan. We believe that this gain is due to the continued rapid growth of Japanese investment.