77th

from 17:00 on Friday, October 14, 2011
Room Chu-Kaigishitsu, Building 3 at Rokkodai

Masayuki Sato (Kyoto University)
Econometric Analysis on Sustainable Development: A Capital Approach

76th

from 17:00 on Friday, July 22, 2011
Room Chu-Kaigishitsu, Building 3 at Rokkodai

Ken'ichi Matsumoto (The University of Shiga Prefecture)
Economic implications of avoiding dangerous climate change

75th

from 16:00 on Friday, May 20, 2011
Room Chu-Kaigishitsu, Building 3 at Rokkodai

Shigeru Matsumoto (Aoyamagakuin University)
Market Work and Pro-Environmental Activities

Abstract

In this paper, we construct an economic model of pro-environmental behavior on the basis of a household production framework. We then examine how working hours and the opportunity cost of time affect an individual's decision to participate in a time-consuming pro-environmental activity -the purchase of refillable products- using data from the Japanese General Social Survey 2002. By purchasing refillable products, an individual can reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed. However, s/he has to spend time refilling bottles. Our empirical results demonstrate that individuals working long hours and those with high wage rates tend to purchase non-refillable products. Therefore, both time constraints and the opportunity cost of time are important factors in pro-environmental activities.

74th

from 17:00 on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Room Chu-Kaigishitsu, Building 3 at Rokkodai

Shunsuke Managi (Tohoku University)
How to Prevent Damages Caused by Natural Disasters

Abstract

Previously studies analyzing the relationship between natural disaster damage and income level do not consider the distinction between public and private disaster protections. This paper empirically examines the relationship between the public/private preparations and damages from 1975. Our result shows that public preparation has contributed to mitigating damages, but the private preparations fail to do it. In addition, efficiencies in urban municipalities are less than those in rural municipalities. Hence, urban municipal governments should cut their investments and pay more attention to reducing economic damages. Furthermore, to protect our society from catastrophes, authorities need to invest public infrastructures against them more than current levels if their occurrence probability is high. Detailed policy implications are derived.

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