My research is motivated by a desire to address social inequalities.

I initially became interested in inequalities across countries, such as poverty in developing regions, and in how development assistance could help reduce these gaps. In this context, I was particularly drawn to the idea of alleviating poverty with clean energy, which led me to pursue environmental economics, especially the economics of renewable energy.

At the same time, I am also interested in inequalities within societies, including inequalities across households, income groups, and genders.

My research is shaped by these interconnected interests in inequality.

Environmental economics:

[Published papers]

• Chihiro Yagi & Kenji Takeuchi. "Electricity Storage or Transmission? Comparing Social Welfare between Arbitrages"  Energy Economics:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2024.107969

• Chihiro Yagi & Kenji Takeuchi. "Estimating the Value of Energy Storage: The Role of Pumped Hydropower in the Electricity Supply Network" Japan and the World Economy: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japwor.2023.101210

Economics of inequality:

[Working paper]

• Jung, Hoyong and Kim, Youngrok and Yagi, Chihiro, Populism and Redistribution: Revisiting the Robin Hood Effect (May 21, 2025). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5263285   

In progress:

• Light after the Darkness: Estimating the Impact of Blackout on Solar Installations (with Kenji Takeuchi)

• Myth of Breastfeeding in Japan: Misperceptions of Social Norms and Maternal Pressure (with Yumi Ishikawa, Youngrok Kim, Mao Nakayama)

• A Career Trap or Maternal Love? Misperceived Social Norms about Breastfeeding (with Youngrok Kim)

• Homo Economicus or Homo Familicus? How Tax Incentives Reallocate Altruism Between Family and Strangers (with Youngrok Kim and Tetsuya Kawamura)

• Why Market Segmentation Matters: How a Utility Cartel Broke Risk-Sharing in Renewable Energy Markets (with Shigeki Isogai and Youngrok Kim)