Junior Projects 2025-26

Themes

1. Determinants' of time use

This project investigates the determinants of time use by analyzing Japanese survey data and drawing on international research. It examines how factors such as gender, climate, health events, and behavioral patterns influence the allocation of time across work, leisure, and other activities, offering insights into changing social and economic dynamics. 

Related studies

• Mark Aguiar, Erik Hurst and Loukas Karabarbounis (2012) "Recent Developments in the Economics of Time Use." Annual Review of Economics, 4: 373-397. https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-economics-111809-125129 

• Harley Frazis (2023) "Sources of increases in time alone during the COVID pandemic: evidence from the American Time Use Survey." Review of Economics of the Household, 22(3): 965-997. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11150-023-09679-1 

• Mallory Avery, Osea Giuntella, Peiran Jiao (2025) "Why Don’t We Sleep Enough? A Field Experiment among College Students." Review of Economics and Statistics, 107(1): 65–77. https://direct.mit.edu/rest/article-abstract/107/1/65/113168/Why-Don-t-We-Sleep-Enough-A-Field-Experiment-among 

• Teevrat Garg , Matthew Gibson, and Fanglin Sun (2020) "Extreme temperatures and time use in China." Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 180(December): 309-324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2020.10.016 

• L. Rachel Ngai, Claudia Olivetti, and Barbara Petrongolo (2024) "Gendered Change: 150 Years of Transformation in US Hours." NBER Working Paper No. 32475. https://www.nber.org/papers/w32475 

Databases

• The Basic Survey on Social Life (社会生活基本調査) by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省) of Japan https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&toukei=00200533 

• e-Stat, prefecture-level data https://www.e-stat.go.jp/regional-statistics/ssdsview/prefectures 

2. Effects of an increase in turists on the local economy

This project analyzes the economic impact of tourism using Japanese data or the data from other countries. For example, it explores COVID-19’s effects on tourism, or the economic effects of a recent surge of turists visiting Japan or other countries, combining these insights with data from various sources. 

Related studies

• Samuel Nocito, Marcello Sartarelli, and Francesco Sobbrio (2023) "A beam of light: Media, tourism and economic development." Journal of Urban Economics, 137(September): 103575. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009411902300044X 

• Vladimir Avetian and Stefan Pauly (2025) "You can’t sit with us: How locals and tourists compete for amenities in Paris." Journal of Urban Economics, 148(July): 103773. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094119025000385 

• Hubert G. Scarlett (2021) "Tourism recovery and the economic impact: A panel assessment." Research in Globalization Volume 3, December 2021, 100044. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590051X21000095 

• Benjamin Faber and Cecile Gaubert (2019) "Tourism and Economic Development: Evidence from Mexico's Coastline." American Economic Review, 109(6): 2245–2293. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.20161434 

• Martin Henseler, Helene Maisonnave, and Asiya Maskaeva (2022) "Economic impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism sector in Tanzania." Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 3(1): 100042. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666957922000106 

• Enrico Bertacchini , Federico Revelli, and Roberto Zotti (2024) "The economic impact of UNESCO World Heritage: Evidence from Italy." Regional Science and Urban Economics, 105(March): 103996. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166046224000206 

Databases

• The Japan Turism Statistics https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/graph/#graph--overnight--stays--by--prefecture--and--country--area

• JNTO Database https://www.jnto.go.jp/statistics/data/visitors-statistics/ 

• Japan Turism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/tokei_hakusyo/shutsunyukokushasu.html 

3. Female executives in Japanese firms 

This project investigates the impact of gender diversity in corporate leadership on firm performance and gender equality. Drawing on global studies and Japanese firm-level and regional data, it explores whether female executives bring unique skills, reduce gender gaps, and influence outcomes, using sources like gBizINFO and e-Stat for empirical analysis. 

Related studies

• David A. Matsa and Amalia R. Miller (2011) "Chipping Away at the Glass Ceiling: Gender Spillovers in Corporate Leadership." American Economic Review, 101(3): 635–639.

• Daehyun Kim and Laura T. Starks (2016) "Gender Diversity on Corporate Boards: Do Women Contribute Unique Skills?" American Economic Review, 106(5): 267–271. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.p20161032 

• Wolfgang Keller, Teresa Molina, and William W. Olney (2023) "The gender gap among top business executives." Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 211(July): 270-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2023.04.017 

• Luca Flabbi, Mario Macis, Andrea Moro, and Fabiano Schivardi (2019) "Do Female Executives Make a Difference? The Impact of Female Leadership on Gender Gaps and Firm Performance." Economic Journal, 129(622): 2390–2423. https://academic.oup.com/ej/article-abstract/129/622/2390/5542573 

• Yu Liu, Zuobao Wei, and Feixue Xie (2014) "Do women directors improve firm performance in China?" Journal of Corporate Finance, 28(October): 169-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2013.11.016  

Databases

• gBizINFO by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan https://info.gbiz.go.jp/hojin/DownloadTop (especially the 職場情報 part)

• e-Stat, prefecture-level data https://www.e-stat.go.jp/regional-statistics/ssdsview/prefectures