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

Kozo Kiyota and Theresa M. Greaney ()
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Theresa M. Greaney: University of Hawaii

No 202602, Working Papers from University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics

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.

Keywords: Disaster impacts; Travel services trade; Tourism; Regional impacts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F14 Q54 R11 Z30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-04
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