2020 Volume 75 Issue 6 Pages I_523-I_535
In this study, we estimate the macroeconomic effect and the change in population distribution in Japan that existing highways have made by simulation model. As a result, constructing highways have contributed to improvement of GDP (From 1985 through 2015, Tomei expressway and Meishin expressway raised GDP of Japan 49.4 Trillion yen in total). On the other hands, according to analysis on production and population distribution in the country area, highway network have enhanced centralization of economic power and population in metropolitan area, especially in Tokyo and increase the disparities rural and urban areas.
