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COVID-19 and Social Distancing in the Absence of Legal Enforcement: Survey Evidence from Japan

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  • Shoji, Masahiro
  • Cato, Susumu
  • Iida, Takashi
  • Ishida, Kenji
  • Ito, Asei
  • McElwain, Kenneth

Abstract

Do people keep social distance to mitigate the infection risk of COVID-19, even without aggressive policy interventions? The Japanese government did not restrict individuals’ activities despite the early confirmation of infections, and as a result, economic damages were limited in the initial stage of infection spread. Exploiting these features, we examine the association between the subsequent increase in infections and voluntary social-distancing behavior. Using unique monthly panel survey data, we find that the increase in risk is associated with the likelihood of social-distancing behavior. However, those with lower educational attainment are less responsive, implying their higher exposure to infections. We provide evidence that this can be attributed to their underestimation of infection risk, while we cannot fully rule out the roles of income opportunity costs and poor information access. These results suggest the utility of interventions incorporating nudges to raise risk perception, as well as financial support for low-income households.

Suggested Citation

  • Shoji, Masahiro & Cato, Susumu & Iida, Takashi & Ishida, Kenji & Ito, Asei & McElwain, Kenneth, 2020. "COVID-19 and Social Distancing in the Absence of Legal Enforcement: Survey Evidence from Japan," MPRA Paper 101968, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:101968
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    As found on the RePEc Biblio, the curated bibliography for Economics:
    1. > Economics of Welfare > Health Economics > Economics of Pandemics > Specific pandemics > Covid-19 > Health > Distancing and Lockdown > Voluntary

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    Cited by:

    1. Duquette, Nicolas, 2020. "Heard immunity: effective persuasion for a future COVID-19 vaccine," SocArXiv jwvsp, Center for Open Science.
    2. repec:osf:socarx:jwvsp_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Shin KINOSHITA & Masayuki SATO & Takanori IDA, 2022. "Bayesian Probability Revision and Infection Prevention Behavior in Japan : A Quantitative Analysis of the First Wave of COVID-19," Discussion papers e-22-004, Graduate School of Economics , Kyoto University.
    4. Hiromichi Takahashi & Iori Terada & Takuya Higuchi & Daisuke Takada & Jung-ho Shin & Susumu Kunisawa & Yuichi Imanaka, 2022. "The relationship between new PCR positive cases and going out in public during the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Masuhara, Hiroaki & Hosoya, Kei, 2022. "Convergent movement of COVID-19 outbreak in Japan based on SIR model," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 29-43.
    6. Hosono, Kaoru, 2021. "Epidemic and Economic Consequences of Voluntary and Request-based Lockdowns in Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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