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Have Vehicle Registration Restrictions Improved Urban Air Quality In Japan?

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Listed:
  • Shuhei Nishitateno
  • Paul J. Burke

Abstract

About 2.6 million noncompliant vehicles were removed from designated metropolitan areas in Japan after the introduction of vehicle registration restrictions under the 1992 Automobile NOx Control Law. Based on a difference‐in‐differences framework and using a monitor‐level panel dataset for the period January 1981–December 2015, we find that the intervention led to a 3%–6% reduction in the monthly mean ambient concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the treated areas. Back‐of‐the‐envelope calculations identify benefits equal to about US$104 million as a result of reduced mortality from asthma. (JEL Q53, Q58)

Suggested Citation

  • Shuhei Nishitateno & Paul J. Burke, 2020. "Have Vehicle Registration Restrictions Improved Urban Air Quality In Japan?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 38(3), pages 448-459, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:38:y:2020:i:3:p:448-459
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lucas W. Davis, 2008. "The Effect of Driving Restrictions on Air Quality in Mexico City," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 116(1), pages 38-81, February.
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    7. Marianne Bertrand & Esther Duflo & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2004. "How Much Should We Trust Differences-In-Differences Estimates?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 119(1), pages 249-275.
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    9. Iwata, Kazuyuki & Arimura, Toshi, 2008. "Economic Analysis of a Japanese Air Pollution Regulation: An Optimal Retirement Problem under Vehicle Type Regulation in the NOx–Particulate Matter Law," RFF Working Paper Series dp-08-15, Resources for the Future.
    10. Zhang, Wei & Lin Lawell, C.-Y. Cynthia & Umanskaya, Victoria I., 2017. "The effects of license plate-based driving restrictions on air quality: Theory and empirical evidence," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 181-220.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nishitateno, Shuhei & Burke, Paul J., 2021. "Willingness to pay for clean air: Evidence from diesel vehicle registration restrictions in Japan," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    2. Shuhei Nishitateno & Paul J. Burke, 2024. "Effects of Low Emission Zones on Air Quality, New Vehicle Registrations, and Birthweights: Evidence from Japan," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 87(7), pages 1955-1992, July.
    3. Shuhei Nishitateno & Paul J. Burke & Toshi H. Arimura, 2024. "Road traffic flow and air pollution concentrations: evidence from Japan," International Journal of Economic Policy Studies, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 357-385, August.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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