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Regional impacts of international tourism boycott: A China—Japan conflict

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  • Theresa M. Greaney
  • Kozo Kiyota

Abstract

We examine the regional impacts of the Sino–Japan dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands that sparked a Chinese consumer boycott of travel to Japan from August 2012. This boycott caused significant and varied regional impacts across Japan. Prefectures that had higher pre‐boycott dependency on Chinese visitors, particularly tourists, experienced the largest negative effects. While the boycott's intensity was strongest in the first 6 months, substantial negative impacts were still observable when averaging across 24 months post‐boycott. Our results demonstrate the importance of diversification across traveler types and countries of origin in providing travel services to mitigate risks from political conflicts.

Suggested Citation

  • Theresa M. Greaney & Kozo Kiyota, 2026. "Regional impacts of international tourism boycott: A China—Japan conflict," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 64(2), pages 409-433, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:64:y:2026:i:2:p:409-433
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.70036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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