While the population concentration continues, competition to attract migrants to rural areas is beginning. Tokyo attracts many young people from rural areas, but areas like Tama and the islands are beginning to see population declines. By promoting “relocation to the metropolitan area,” they aim to maintain the population in these areas, but if Tokyo, with its overwhelming financial power, intensifies its efforts to enclose migrants, it could alter the flow of talent returning to rural areas.
In Yurakucho, Tokyo, on May 25th, the first “Relocation Fair” held by the metropolitan government saw lines of families and people in their 30s and 40s listening intently to explanations from municipal officials.
With the addition of those consulting about moving to other prefectures, the number of participants swelled to double the number of prior reservations. The booths of popular cities were continuously full, and some families were engrossed in watching videos from each municipality.
Why relocate to the metropolitan area…
