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How Did Japan Cope with COVID-19? Big Data and Purchasing Behavior

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  • Yoko Konishi

    (Research Institute of Economy, Trade, and Industry (RIETI) and Graduate School of Economics and Management, Tohoku University, 1-3-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 100-8901, Japan)

  • Takashi Saito

    (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Research Institute of Economy, Trade, and Industry (RIETI) 1-3-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 100-8901, Japan)

  • Toshiki Ishikawa

    (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Research Institute of Economy, Trade, and Industry (RIETI) 1-3-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 100-8901, Japan)

  • Hajime Kanai

    (INTAGE, Inc. INTAGE Akihabara Building 3 Kanda-Neribeicho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 101-0022, Japan)

  • Naoya Igei

    (INTAGE RESEARCH, Inc. 1-4-1 Honcho Higashikurume-shi Tokyo, 203-0053, Japan)

Abstract

Japan has been recognized as having successfully controlled the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to gather insights to combat the spread of infection in our daily lives by observing our purchasing behavior. We use point of sales (POS) data from supermarkets, convenience stores, home centers, drug stores, and electronics retail stores for a nationwide analysis. Our analysis revealed the following. First, the Japanese actively prevented the spread of infection by voluntarily wearing masks, using alcohol-based disinfectants, and gargling. Second, they willingly stayed home during the semi-lockdown. Third, they continued to purchase infection prevention essentials during periods of both low and high levels of infection. We conclude that continuing to wear masks, wash and sanitize hands, and gargle, along with spending more time at home to maintain safe distancing, will be effective in reducing the spread of the virus and combatting the pandemic. Finally, infections and deaths were primarily concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kansai region, where the nature of the spread of the infection was different from that in small and middle-sized prefectures.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoko Konishi & Takashi Saito & Toshiki Ishikawa & Hajime Kanai & Naoya Igei, 2021. "How Did Japan Cope with COVID-19? Big Data and Purchasing Behavior," Asian Economic Papers, MIT Press, vol. 20(1), pages 146-167, Winter/Sp.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:asiaec:v:20:y:2021:i:1:p:146-167
    DOI: 10.1162/asep_a_00797
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    Cited by:

    1. Jana Majerova & Lubica Gajanova & Margareta Nadanyiova & Anita Kolnhofer Derecskei, 2021. "Intrinsic Motivation Sources as Pillars of Sustainable Internal Marketing Communication in Turbulent Post-Pandemic Times," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Takashi Nakazawa, 2022. "Constructing GDP Nowcasting Models Using Alternative Data," Bank of Japan Working Paper Series 22-E-9, Bank of Japan.
    3. Hiroyuki Okamuro & Yasushi Hara & Yunosuke Iwaki, 2022. "Impact of Consumer Awareness and Behavior on Business Exits in the Hospitality, Tourism, Entertainment, and Culture Industries under the COVID-19 Pandemic," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Masahiro Higo & Shigenori Shiratsuka, 2022. "Was Inflation Observed under the First Wave of the COVID-19 Spread in Japan? Scanner Data Evidence for Retailers in Tokyo," Keio-IES Discussion Paper Series 2022-013, Institute for Economics Studies, Keio University.
    5. Higo, Masahiro & Shiratsuka, Shigenori, 2023. "Consumer price measurement under the first wave of the COVID-19 spread in Japan: Scanner data evidence for retailers in Tokyo," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    6. INOUE Hiroyasu & TODO Yasuyuki, 2022. "Has COVID-19 Permanently Changed Online Consumption Behavior?," Discussion papers 22018, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    7. OTA Rui & ITO Arata & SATO Masahiro & YANO Makoto, 2022. "Social Learning and Behavioral Change When Faced with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A big data analysis," Discussion papers 22065, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).

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