[UTMD-091]Elite Formation and Family Structure in Prewar Japan: Evidence from the Who’s Who Records (by Hiroshi Kumanomido, Suguru Otani, Yutaro Takayasu)

Hiroshi Kumanomido, Suguru Otani, Yutaro Takayasu

This paper introduces a newly constructed individual-level dataset of prewar Japanese elites using the “Who’s Who” directories published in 1903–1939. Covering approximately the top 0.1% of the population, the dataset contains rich information on social origin, education, occupation, and family structure. By reconstructing intergenerational links and family networks, we provide descriptive evidence on elite formation and persistence across geography, social groups, and education during institutional transitions. The dataset provides a foundational empirical resource for studying elite reproduction, intergenerational and intergroup mobility, and institutional development during Japan’s transition to a modern society.