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Local Impacts of a Mega-disaster on Domestic and Foreign Travelers: The Case of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Author

Listed:
  • Kozo Kiyota

    (Keio University and RIETI)

  • Theresa M. Greaney

    (University of Hawaii)

Abstract

This study examines the regional impacts of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake on Japan’s travel services industry. Using triple-differences designs, we find significant, regionally-heterogeneous negative effects, notably a cumulative −54.0 percent inbound visitor loss for the Tohoku region over seven years post-disaster. Although “East Japan†includes disaster-impacted prefectures in both the Tohoku and Kanto regions, the Tohoku region suffered more negative and longer-lasting inbound visitor losses. Early and continued references in foreign media to the “Tohoku Earthquake†seem to have had long-lasting and adverse impacts on Tohoku’s ability to attract foreign visitors.

Suggested Citation

  • Kozo Kiyota & Theresa M. Greaney, 2026. "Local Impacts of a Mega-disaster on Domestic and Foreign Travelers: The Case of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake," Working Papers 202602, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hai:wpaper:202602
    as

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    File URL: http://www.economics.hawaii.edu/research/workingpapers/WP_26-02.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ahn, JaeBin & Greaney, Theresa M. & Kiyota, Kozo, 2022. "Political conflict and angry consumers: Evaluating the regional impacts of a consumer boycott on travel services trade," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    2. Douglas L. Miller, 2023. "An Introductory Guide to Event Study Models," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 37(2), pages 203-230, Spring.
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    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • Z30 - Other Special Topics - - Tourism Economics - - - General

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