Heterogeneous assimilation and the role of co-ethnic networks in immigrant location choices: Evidence from Tokyo

Co-ethnic networks and socioeconomic factors fundamentally explain immigrants' residence choices. However, their role varies between ethnic groups or within ethnic groups with different assimilation levels. This study assesses the heterogeneous effects of co-ethnic networks and socioeconomic factors on the attractiveness of migration from four developing countries (China, the Philippines, Brazil, and Vietnam) in Tokyo, Japan. Using a dynamic spatial Durbin model, this study analyzed spatial panel data for 242 municipalities from 2012 to 2018. The results show that the effect of co-ethnic networks is significant for immigrants from China and Vietnam. They are likelier to live in municipalities with co-ethnic networks or neighboring municipalities. In contrast, immigrants from the Philippines and Brazil do not increase consistently in any municipality, and Filipino immigrants tend to move away from the municipalities where they were previously concentrated. According to the interpretation of spatial assimilation theory, the results suggest that Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants may be less assimilated than immigrants from Brazil and the Philippines. These findings provide new empirical evidence to analyze the heterogeneity of ethnic immigrants in their choice of residence and evaluate the assimilation theory's applicability. Empirical results provide relevant evidence and recommendations for immigration and assimilation policies. • Co-ethnic networks shape immigrant location choices heterogeneously in Tokyo. • Dynamic spatial Durbin models reveal assimilation differences by nationality. • Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants show spatial clustering and network dependency. • Brazilian and Filipino immigrants display higher spatial assimilation trends. • Municipal-level panel data offer novel insights into Japan's urban immigrant dynamics.