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Climate, Crime, And Suicide: Empirical Evidence From Japan

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  • RYO TAKAHASHI

    (Waseda University, 1-6-1 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo 169-0051, Japan)

Abstract

The relationship between climate change and violent behavior has been well documented in previous studies. Violence has two dimensions: outward violence (i.e., crime) and inward violence (i.e., suicide). To our knowledge, rigorous empirical studies have not been performed to investigate how climate change affects both criminal and suicidal behavior. This study aims to estimate the effects of climate change on crime and suicide in Japan by using prefecture-level monthly panel data on climate, crime, and suicide between 2009 and 2015. Even after controlling for prefecture, yearly, and monthly effects, we found that many climate factors affected both crime and suicide in Japan. In particular, more aggressive behavior and an increased number of suicides were observed when the average temperature increased. Furthermore, we predicted how changes in the climate of Japan will affect future patterns of criminal and suicidal behavior based on two climate change scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryo Takahashi, 2017. "Climate, Crime, And Suicide: Empirical Evidence From Japan," Climate Change Economics (CCE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 8(01), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ccexxx:v:08:y:2017:i:01:n:s2010007817500038
    DOI: 10.1142/S2010007817500038
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kahori Ishibashi & Ryo Takahashi, 2024. "Too“hot”to recognize her rights: The impact of climate change on attitude toward gender equality," Working Papers 2310, Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
    2. Kaori Tembata & Kenji Takeuchi, 2018. "The Impact Of Climate Variability On Drought Management: Evidence From Japanese River Basins," Climate Change Economics (CCE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 9(04), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Takahashi, Ryo & Todo, Yasuyuki & Funaki, Yukihiko, 2018. "How Can We Motivate Consumers to Purchase Certified Forest Coffee? Evidence From a Laboratory Randomized Experiment Using Eye-trackers," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 107-121.
    4. Ankel-Peters, Jörg & Bruederle, Anna & Roberts, Gareth, 2022. "Weather and Crime—Cautious evidence from South Africa," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 3(1), pages 1-22.
    5. Mišák, Vojtěch, 2024. "Does heat cause homicides? A meta-analysis," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).

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