Female sex workers (FSWs) are at considerable risk of developing mental disorders due to the potential for violence associated with their work. However, few studies have comprehensively investigated the types of violence and their impact on the mental health of FSWs. Using data collected from 403 FSWs in Yangon, Myanmar, we investigated how various types of violence perpetrated by clients, employers, and partners affect the severity of mental disorders (anxiety and depression) among FSWs. Our results indicate that economic violence perpetrated by clients and threats of violence from partners induce severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, sexual and economic violence perpetrated by employers results in severe symptoms of anxiety.

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Using data collected on female sex workers (FSWs) in Yangon, Myanmar, we compare the prices of sexual services offered to investigate whether prices are associated with the place where they find clients—after controlling for FSW and client characteristics and types of services provided. Compared with FSWs in brothels, workers who find clients online charge 62 per cent higher prices, while those in massage parlours charge 39 per cent lower prices. In addition, we find evidence that suggests street‐based FSWs earn less than those in brothels. No price differentials are observed among FSWs finding clients in karaoke clubs and in brothels. These findings imply worksites play a vital role in determining the price of sex services in Yangon. We further investigate why these place‐based price differentials arise. We describe the plausible characteristics of the price negotiation process, including the matching process and client information, and discuss how these work to yield place‐based price differentials at various worksites.

The Japanese housing market has experienced a rapid increase in the number of vacant housing units due to regulatory obstacles and a decreasing population. Abandoned vacant houses can cause negative externalities in the surrounding neighborhood, due to illegal dumping of garbage, increased risks of arson, and building collapse. Few empirical studies exist that focus on the negative externalities of vacant houses, because of data limitations. This paper investigates these negative externalities by using a complete field survey conducted in the Toshima municipality, one of 23 wards in the Tokyo prefecture. We find that a vacant (single-family) house devalues nearby rental prices by 1-2 percent, on average. Vacant houses with property defects cause greater spillover effects. Addressing dilapidated vacant housing with overgrown vegetation and combustible materials would likely produce annual tax gains greater than one million yen (approximately nine thousand U.S. dollars) per vacant housing unit. Given the substantial number of existing vacant houses, local governments should identify the types of vacant houses causing the most severe negative externalities based on empirical assessment and implement efficient countermeasures to address the issue.

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