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The Potential of Nighttime Light Imagery for Detailed Local Economic Analysis

Shoichi Otomo

arXiv 27 Sep 2026 · Computers and Society

arXiv:2609.33859 · PDF · Extracted main text

Abstract

This manuscript is an English translation and extended version of a paper originally published in Japanese (2022). Driven by remarkable advances in remote sensing and big data processing, spatial technologies are increasingly leveraged in economic research. While satellite nighttime light intensity is widely recognized for tracking macroeconomic parameters - such as regional GDP, employment, and population - less attention has been paid to fine-grained spatial processing methodologies for local tourism economies. This study first details a raster processing technique applied to nightlight imagery. It then focuses on Yuzawa Town (Uonuma District, Niigata Prefecture), analyzing the local economy and sports/tourist attractions. Specifically, I investigate the spatio-temporal relationships between tourist arrivals and various local statistical datasets. Furthermore, this paper highlights how nightlight data can capture intra-municipal economic dynamics that remain undetectable through standard macroeconomic indicators.

Citation extraction

34
references
45
in-text mentions
34
distinct cited
2
self-citations
3,993
main-text words

appendix boundary found by none_found · 100% of the source is main text. Read the extracted text to check this.

Most heavily cited references

The works this paper leans on most, across its whole bibliography — not restricted to papers in our corpus. Ranked by composite intensity, which combines how often a work is mentioned, how many sections mention it, and how much of that falls in the main text rather than the appendix.

ReferenceIntensityMentionsSectionsMain text
1Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communi… (2020) e-Stat0.64422100%
2Henderson, J. Vernon and Storeygard, Adam and Weil, David N (2012) Measuring Economic Growth from Outer Space0.64422100%
3Kawamura, Seiji (2008) Principles and Applications of Tourism Economics: New Edition0.64422100%
4Kurata, Masamitsu (2017) Correlation Between Nighttime Lights and Socioeconomic Indicators in Low-Income Countries0.64422100%
5NOAA/NGDC (2025) NOAA/NGDC0.64422100%
6Statistics and Analysis Division, General Affairs Management Departm… (2020) Prefectural Economic Accounts0.51121100%
7NOAA/NGDC (2025) NOAA/NGDC0.51121100%
8Otomo, Shoichi (2021) The Correlation between Night Light and Economic and Social Indicators in Japan self0.51121100%
9Statistical Information Division, Statistics Section, General Affair… (2020) Niigata Prefecture Statistical Yearbook0.51121100%
10Tourism and Commerce Division, Industry and Tourism Department, Yuza… (2020) Tourism Statistics0.51121100%

Showing the top 10 of 34 scored citations.