Sustaining self-restraint until the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo

We analyzed time-series changes in people’s purpose-specific mobility characteristics owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Tokyo area of Japan, where only legally non-binding requests for self-restraint were enforced. A multiple regression analysis was conducted with the objective variable being the mobile population in the Tokyo area per 500 m square grid estimated from mobile spatial statistical data for 2 years from 10/01/2019 to 9/30/2021. This study period ranges from pre- to mid-pandemic. The explanatory variable was the number of buildings by type per 500 m square grid obtained from building statistical data to determine behavioral changes by mobility purpose. The analysis revealed that self-restraint was sustained until the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Tokyo area regardless of the purpose of mobility and whether a state of emergency was declared.