Cultural inflow effects on Japanese import demand for consumer products: importance of halo effects

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of cultural inflow on import demand. More specifically, this research explored whether foreign cultural products can cause halo effects on Japanese import of consumer products. Our findings suggest the presence of positive cultural halo effects on the Japanese import market for consumer products. Specifically, import of cultural products has significant positive effects on certain types of consumer products of the same country of origin and negative effects on products of different origin. Additionally, the effects of cultural inflow on import demand differ depending on the type of consumer products. These findings have important implications for countries that export consumer and cultural products.