Research projects

In this study, we conducted three main quantitative studies to examine what quantitative and qualitative changes the COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020 has caused in interregional flow of funds and regional financial markets. First, we analyzed changes in concentration in the loan and deposit markets. Specifically, we measured the concentration (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index) for each prefecture. Second, we measured the interregional flow of funds index through loans and deposits. Finally, we examined whether cross-border loans are of lower quality than loans in the prefecture where the head office is located (home base loans).

貸出・預金を介した地域間資金循環指標と市場集中度を長期に拡張した上で、地域金融市場の効率性に係る研究を推進する。第1に、集中度と地域間資金移動程度のコロナ禍の下での変化を把握するとともに、日本の高度成長期から現在に至る時期における構造変化の有無を検証する。第2に、地域金融市場と地域経済との相互連関の状況を明らかにする。第3に、地域間の資金移動を考慮した金融機関行動の構造推定を通じて、地域金融市場の機能に関する理論的な分析を行う。これらの研究のうちのいくつかを、国際的な協同により推進する。以上の取り組みを通じて、地域金融市場の過去から現在に至る動向を把握し、将来に向けた変化の方向性を展望する。

This project implemented research on the following five issues:(1) measurement of competition in regional financial markets;(2) construction of inter-regional flow of funds indicators via loans and deposits; (3)impact of competition on firms' credit availability; (4)interaction between inter-regional flow of funds, competition, and market efficiency; and (5)impact of COVID-19 on the efficiency of regional financial markets. The project published five articles in English peer-reviewed journals. At the same time, it publicized the research outputs by publicly posting data on the concentration in the regional financial markets and those on interregional flow of funds. It also held an international workshop.Finally, the project published a Japanese book "Economics of Small and Medium Enterprise Finance: Role of Financial Institutions and Role of the Government,”which received several awards including the 65th Nikkei Prize for Excellent Books in Economic Science.