Having lived in big cities for decades, I can understand the attraction, especially for singletons. I can't speak about the Japanese cultural factors; but I think there are two other factors which may reinforce the decline in migration to the cities: firstly, the possibility for those with office jobs to work from home these days. Just avoiding the rush hours trains would make it worthwhile, wouldn't it? The second factor, in my opinion, will be the growing understanding of the harmful effects on health of EMF radiation from wi-fi and cell towers, especially 5G millimeter-waves. I think people will realize that they need to get away from the concentrated and toxic EMF soup in which city-dwellers live. The more rural, the easier.
The ability to work remotely is certainly a factor. Another trend that I thought about adding to the original post that may play a role is the desire of many to avoid the overly commercial culture that pushes people toward overconsumption and overt displays of wealth. By going back to the basics - nature, deep and genuine relationships with others, etc. - the path to true fulfillment is much more likely to be achieved. Japan's beautiful countryside is often a good place to start such a journey.
Yes, I know quite a few friends and former colleagues that have the office in Tokyo, but moved out to the countryside and telecommute, thanks to their employers being more flexible after COVID.
Cool, hopefully employers can see that their employees can be cheaper and more productive if there are no rail fares to pay and no time wasted traveling in overcrowded railway carriages, while employees enjoy a better quality of life, less stress and better work/life balance. Seems like a win-win to me.
Thank you for reading and the positive feedback. Yes, the Shonan Coast seems to be attracting a lot more people lately, but it was already pretty crowded to begin with. I agree with you about the appeal of rural Japan. Although I am more partial to Kyushu, I like all the other places you mention, as well.
Interesting article, and I loved the bit of personal history. I always like to learn more about my fellow writers.
I agree that 1) Being able to telecommute, and 2) rediscovering the charm of rural Japan play a part in this trend though my impression is that more than stopping people from migrating to the big cities, it pushes internal migrant to go back to where they came from (or moving to another small town/country village). In other words, people like you, Mark.
Also, I'm afraid that in the end, the main reason for the decline in internal migration is the declining birthrate. As you pointed out, as the number of young people declines, the number of migrants decline accordingly. We only have to compare Japan's demographic then and now to see how much "young Japan" has shrunk.
Let's not forget that the data you showed refer to "Long-term Decline since 1970." The early 70s were when Japan's economic boom stopped, and in the last half century Japan has arguably had more bad or so-so years than good years.
As for the decline in the migration rate of young people aged 15-19 (0.41 times the 1970 level) I would say it is again related to historical changes. Generally speaking, I think it's fair to say that people of high school age usually don't migrate, at least in Japan. However, a lot of junior high graduates who lived in poor and underdeveloped prefectures (e.g. in Tohoku) left their homes in the 60s to join the ranks of manual workers and other low-level employees who helped urban development in the big cities. In time, those people have become redundant. That is, in my opinion, one big reason why they don't migrate anymore.
Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective.
Earlier this week I returned to Japan after a trip to the U.S. I spent almost all of that visit in the state of Florida, which is by far the largest recipient of internal migration among Americans, and has been for decades. Florida has long been a popular destination for retirees and people seeking a warmer climate. It also has no state income tax. Many begin as annual "snowbirds" and then make the move to Florida permanent. The U.S. Census publishes annual "State-to-State Migration Flows" (https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/geographic-mobility/state-to-state-migration.html). For 2022, the data show that 8.2 million Americans (out of 330 million people), or 2.5%, had moved to another state in the past 12 months (even on the heels of the global pandemic). Florida had the highest number of migrants at 740,000 people or 3.4% out of a total population of 22 million. No other state except Texas came close. There is no indication that Florida will lose that title anytime soon, although high homeowners insurance rates (due to hurricane damage) may slow growth to some extent.
Trips like this always make me wonder why Japanese people who live in the big cities of Japan do not move to the countryside more often. There are small pockets of villages and towns, including where I live in Kyushu, that attract internal migrants from Kanto, Kansai, and a few other places, but we're talking about a drop in the bucket. While proximity to children and friends, access to familiar medical resources, funds to cover relocation costs, etc. may be factors that work to keep people in place, it is a shame that more older Japanese are not considering the option of relocating to a rural environment to enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by nature.
Regarding the circumstances that literally keep young people "down on the farm" in the countryside, yes, you have added some valid points to the original post.
I am glad you enjoyed reading my personal story. While international immigrants to Japan who have made this country their permanent home, like us, are undoubtedly a tiny segment of the population, there is no doubt that we are able to live rich lives (not necessarily in the financial sense of the word) as a result. No regrets here!
Having lived in big cities for decades, I can understand the attraction, especially for singletons. I can't speak about the Japanese cultural factors; but I think there are two other factors which may reinforce the decline in migration to the cities: firstly, the possibility for those with office jobs to work from home these days. Just avoiding the rush hours trains would make it worthwhile, wouldn't it? The second factor, in my opinion, will be the growing understanding of the harmful effects on health of EMF radiation from wi-fi and cell towers, especially 5G millimeter-waves. I think people will realize that they need to get away from the concentrated and toxic EMF soup in which city-dwellers live. The more rural, the easier.
https://francesleader.substack.com/?sort=search&search=EMF
The ability to work remotely is certainly a factor. Another trend that I thought about adding to the original post that may play a role is the desire of many to avoid the overly commercial culture that pushes people toward overconsumption and overt displays of wealth. By going back to the basics - nature, deep and genuine relationships with others, etc. - the path to true fulfillment is much more likely to be achieved. Japan's beautiful countryside is often a good place to start such a journey.
🙌🏻
Yes, I know quite a few friends and former colleagues that have the office in Tokyo, but moved out to the countryside and telecommute, thanks to their employers being more flexible after COVID.
Cool, hopefully employers can see that their employees can be cheaper and more productive if there are no rail fares to pay and no time wasted traveling in overcrowded railway carriages, while employees enjoy a better quality of life, less stress and better work/life balance. Seems like a win-win to me.
Thank you for reading and adding this perspective. We'll see if this trend continues as Covid fades into memory.
Good article thanks for sharing. I have heard more about growth & development in Kanagawa recently as well.
But for me specifically I love rural areas far more than city life. Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Chiba, Toyama, Tohoku regions are my favorites.
Thank you for reading and the positive feedback. Yes, the Shonan Coast seems to be attracting a lot more people lately, but it was already pretty crowded to begin with. I agree with you about the appeal of rural Japan. Although I am more partial to Kyushu, I like all the other places you mention, as well.
Interesting article, and I loved the bit of personal history. I always like to learn more about my fellow writers.
I agree that 1) Being able to telecommute, and 2) rediscovering the charm of rural Japan play a part in this trend though my impression is that more than stopping people from migrating to the big cities, it pushes internal migrant to go back to where they came from (or moving to another small town/country village). In other words, people like you, Mark.
Also, I'm afraid that in the end, the main reason for the decline in internal migration is the declining birthrate. As you pointed out, as the number of young people declines, the number of migrants decline accordingly. We only have to compare Japan's demographic then and now to see how much "young Japan" has shrunk.
Let's not forget that the data you showed refer to "Long-term Decline since 1970." The early 70s were when Japan's economic boom stopped, and in the last half century Japan has arguably had more bad or so-so years than good years.
As for the decline in the migration rate of young people aged 15-19 (0.41 times the 1970 level) I would say it is again related to historical changes. Generally speaking, I think it's fair to say that people of high school age usually don't migrate, at least in Japan. However, a lot of junior high graduates who lived in poor and underdeveloped prefectures (e.g. in Tohoku) left their homes in the 60s to join the ranks of manual workers and other low-level employees who helped urban development in the big cities. In time, those people have become redundant. That is, in my opinion, one big reason why they don't migrate anymore.
Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective.
Earlier this week I returned to Japan after a trip to the U.S. I spent almost all of that visit in the state of Florida, which is by far the largest recipient of internal migration among Americans, and has been for decades. Florida has long been a popular destination for retirees and people seeking a warmer climate. It also has no state income tax. Many begin as annual "snowbirds" and then make the move to Florida permanent. The U.S. Census publishes annual "State-to-State Migration Flows" (https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/geographic-mobility/state-to-state-migration.html). For 2022, the data show that 8.2 million Americans (out of 330 million people), or 2.5%, had moved to another state in the past 12 months (even on the heels of the global pandemic). Florida had the highest number of migrants at 740,000 people or 3.4% out of a total population of 22 million. No other state except Texas came close. There is no indication that Florida will lose that title anytime soon, although high homeowners insurance rates (due to hurricane damage) may slow growth to some extent.
Trips like this always make me wonder why Japanese people who live in the big cities of Japan do not move to the countryside more often. There are small pockets of villages and towns, including where I live in Kyushu, that attract internal migrants from Kanto, Kansai, and a few other places, but we're talking about a drop in the bucket. While proximity to children and friends, access to familiar medical resources, funds to cover relocation costs, etc. may be factors that work to keep people in place, it is a shame that more older Japanese are not considering the option of relocating to a rural environment to enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by nature.
Regarding the circumstances that literally keep young people "down on the farm" in the countryside, yes, you have added some valid points to the original post.
I am glad you enjoyed reading my personal story. While international immigrants to Japan who have made this country their permanent home, like us, are undoubtedly a tiny segment of the population, there is no doubt that we are able to live rich lives (not necessarily in the financial sense of the word) as a result. No regrets here!
ケネディーさんいつも良記事ありがとうございます。
有機農業が盛んなあまり農薬を散布しなくて、暑くもなく寒くもない人口5万〜50万の地方の町はご存知ですか??
体がアレルギーマーチ、CS疑いで東京に住み続けられなさそうです。地方に移る事を家族と本格的に検討しています。宜しくお願い致します🙏
はじめに、お読みいただき、またコメントをお寄せいただきありがとうございます。ケネディは農家ではありませんが(妻の大きな家庭菜園を時々手伝う以外には)、我々の住む国東半島で、 鳥居さんのような移住者を最も積極的に募集している地域は豊後高田市https://www.city.bungotakada.oita.jp/soshiki/5/2511.htmlhttps://www.city.bungotakada.oita.jp/soshiki/5/2511.html だと聞いています。 豊後高田市は、全国から移住して農業をやりたい人に、奨励金やさまざまな支援を行っているそうです。 海門温泉(https://www.city.bungotakada.oita.jp/site/showanomachi/1279.html)の運営を手伝っているご夫婦は、恐らく東京から移住し、海門温泉もこのエリアも気に入っています。 下記のリンクも役に立つかもしれません。https://www.city.bungotakada.oita.jp/site/dekigoto/2437.html
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS1D7VY0S1DTPJB005.html
日本中の人々は一般的にとてもフレンドリーですが、特に九州の人々は本当に友好的で、移住者を喜んで助けてくれることがわかりました。
この情報がお役に立てば幸いです。
https://bt-farmstay.com/abe/ も聞いてみた方がいいと思います。
返信遅くなり申し訳ありません。豊後高田市はいいと思います。庶務、手続きが終わって、引越しが終わって、家族ともに生活が落ち着き次第、免許に取りかかります。
丁寧なご説明で分かりやすかったです。ありがとうございました!
どういたしまして。頑張ってください!
Glad to hear it. We'll, when we decided to make the move, we went "all in" by relocating to Kyushu. No regrets.