national

Japan aims to alleviate overpopulation in Tokyo area by FY2027

87 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

87 Comments
Login to comment

A no fail “ strategy “ with the declining population so government can declare another fake success..

-10 ( +18 / -28 )

My wife and I left Tokyo in November for Europe, the company to Singapore. 2 less

-4 ( +22 / -26 )

Move the government to Aomori and the emperor stuff to Kagoshima to start

20 ( +28 / -8 )

Japan aims to alleviate overcrowding in Tokyo by arresting population flight to the metropolitan area by the end of fiscal 2027, a new five-year regional revitalization plan released by the government showed Friday.

I recall twenty year old plans for satellite capitals to shift governmental infrastructure and population from Tokyo and reinvigorate the countryside.

The LDP has no plans beyond their own bank account increases.

When one plan produces no results, like Abenomics, it gets renamed, "New Capitalism" and a new totally made up target date is set.

10 ( +30 / -20 )

The real headline should be:

LDP government plans to shower money on countryside to shore up support.

11 ( +33 / -22 )

The five-year plan includes using tax incentives to encourage companies to relocate to regional areas

Corporate tax just about to increase now government expect corporate to invest new office in new place?

including ways to attract younger generations by improving the environment for marriage and childbirth in regional areas.

Child care facilities in cities even having difficulties to fill their staff, facilities that can get their staff are filled with unqualified staff.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/12/01/national/crime-legal/shizuoka-sakura-hoikuen-toddler-abuse/

Also rural areas have less adequate public transport, and facilities like few or no clinics, few or no place to hangout, etc.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Commercial RE professional here - In case you're not paying attention this is the most clear sign yet to get out of the Tokyo residential property bubble... it's totally over inflated and entirely predicated on increasing rents. First you have zero wage growth for decades within the rank and file salarymen and second you now have a gov't initiative to stem the flow of population growth in Tokyo... time to EXIT that trade if you or your company is in it.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Gees these wombats come up with crazy ideas. Do they intend to build full infrastructures in these regional areas to give these people jobs, medical services and education? Not everybody wants to be a rice farmer or a roadhouse ramen chef.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Lol read the article

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

What they don’t get is that people in Japan don’t relocate locally away from their settled home.

many company outside of Tokyo or nearby areas has extreme difficulties.

japanese companies with branch offices send their people there, but their families remain in their settled area, splitting the family.

hence they can incentivize companies to move outside of Tokyo all they want, but those companies will not find willing employees to work there.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Although most people will see this as rinse and repeat, times they are a changing. Consider the global higher military spending and Japan's new pre-emptive strike capability. In a war, large cities are primary targets, as you get more bang for your buck with a missile strike on urban areas. So let me put it this way: who wants to move to the unlikely-to-be-bombed small suburban towns of Japan?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

What they don’t get is that people in Japan don’t relocate locally away from their settled home.

Yes, especially since they've relocated to Tokyo already

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'd suggest that the national government start first by bringing its administrative functions out of Tokyo. Quite many don't have to be in the capital. Most ironically the digital agency headquarters stay in Tokyo while it is campaigning the decentralisation via IT technology.

Personally I prefer to live in a mid-sized major city housing around 1 million or less. The major Japanese cities are almost the same as the capital of smaller counties (seen in Europe) with regard to its landmass, population, economy and sociocultural heritage. Tokyo may be the best for sightseeing or special events, but not long-term residency. Not to mention, Tokyo is also vulnerable to natural disasters.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Anyway, stated plan to alleviated overpopulation is to lessen move into Tokyo

> Japan aims to alleviate overcrowding in Tokyo by arresting population flight to the metropolitan area by the end of fiscal 2027

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I saw many leave just before and during covid, all saying how great it was outside the area more space, blah blah blah.

Most has returned to Tokyo or very close in Saitama, etc...

Most brought their aging relatives (parents etc...) with them back into the area.

Others had said they would be moving out back to their place of birth where their parents still live.

Nope instead the parents were moved to Tokyo area where better and easily accessible medical and social services are easily available.

Unless you can fix the problem of fewer and fewer hospitals, services for the aging, post Jr high schooling and in some case schooling in general this will fail.

People especially an aging population need care services and that means large cities with good facilities that means Tokyo, Osaka, etc... regions.

And before one or another goes off on Japan or what I am pointing out this is not unique to Japan every day in places like Canada old doctors in small communities retire leaving the area without a single doctor.

I. Japan it is the same, my children's grandparents now live in Tokyo with their son, they have never lived outside Shizuoka prefecture but they no longer drive at Their age and the last small hospital/clinic in their town closed about 10 years ago so it is a 30 minutes at best car ride to the closest medical facility.

So Tokyo with they son was the only chose left.

This is being repeated every day in small town across Japan.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

I have only lived in Tokyo for six months out of thirty years. Live in a very nice seaside and countryside area. Hospital five-minute walk. Three large stores are another five-minute walk. Ten minutes to the nearest rail station. Many facilities for aging people. Community buses and community taxis cost ¥100 and ¥200. The taxis collect people from their doors and take them to hospitals, stores, and other locations.

No tall buildings. Wide open spaces. Large houses. Many young children. Cheaper prices.

The other 113 million don't live in Tokyo.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

wallace

Today 10:36 am JST

What took you so long oh wait your comment has nothing to do with what I wrote just coincidence.

Sure we believe it all but didn't you previously say how you lived 15 to 30 minutes by taxi etc...away from everything and that was never a problem ?

But then the government trying to get doctors to move and work in rural areas for the past few decades I guess was just the government not kn6as much as you.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Now to upset just about all sides.

The actual correct thing to be doing is proper redevelopment of the Tokyo, Osaka etc... areas.

More people less wasted space less impact on the country as a whole.

By that I mean we are supposedly in climate change, so solution is to take up more wooded areas and remove trees use more space per person, need longer distance transport? No obviously the reverse is needed.

Leave more forests not city parks or localised green spaces because many species will not cross open spaces. Continuous woodland.

Less people in those areas other than for camping and visiting.

Cities made more energy efficient, more bike only paths, more EV (I know I don't actually like EV in general but in compact city environment they are the best option) we have the technology to make comfortable, energy efficient compact housing, more public transportation (a good cheap fast replacement for car /taxis in city centres are power connected busses or light trams).

It is also far more efficient and causes less impact on the environment to supply power to a single large city (if the infrastructure is done correctly) that to maintain tens of thousands of kilometers of power lines throughout the country into small villages, isolated housing, etc ..

Leave the countryside to farming, camping, fishing and to the wildlife.

Less cars more trees cleaner air all around.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Antiquesaving

my comment has nothing to do with you and I would have posted my personal opinion even if you had not posted. We all have our own opinion and experience.

My comment is true and correct. I have never posted that there were any problems where we live so at least stop inventing and just post your own opinions. I guess you can check that on the screenshots you make.

I did not dismiss or question your post. You can believe whatever you want. Just leave me alone, please.

113 million do not live in Tokyo.

In Fukuyama, I know a group of doctors, about 20 of them who live and work there and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

My local hospital is fully equipped and staffed including operations. We also have a very good dentist. Phone in the morning and have an appointment straight away. There are more than ten local clinics that specialise in various medical problems.

There are day centers for old folks overlooking the sea.

The city office branch is a short walk.

We grow our vegetables and also locals give us many.

I do not know what it is like in every single town or village.

I made the right choice not to live in Tokyo.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

In 5 years? Good job Morons.

How about putting the plan into action about 60 years ago?

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Antiquesaving

As I posted I gave my opinion and personal experience which is limited to where I live or have lived.

You can post whatever you want I do not care.

Unlike you, I do not know what happens in every town and village.

We have many friends living in places from Amoroi to Kyushu who are very happy living there. We share many lines with them. Many even send us produce from there.

You are happy living in Tokyo. I never questioned that. We and another 113 million do not want to live there.

You are now being impolite to another user.

Just stop before you get carried away again.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

To the countryside is so much better crowd.

Remember if ( a very improbable if) the government succeeded in getting people to leave Tokyo and other "overcrowded" large cities, remember those people will want what you have, large land large houses, we call the suburbs urban sprawl.

Do you think people are going to leave Tokyo apartment condos with easy access to everything, to move far away into another apartment condo system with far less conveniences?

So what will happen is what we see in much of North America, more people living in more areas spreading untill those once countryside places are now urban just instead of a high building on a small area it will be hundreds if not thousands of acres now with the same number of people and far less trees and wildlife.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The strategy won't work. I remember when it was believed that extending the Shinkansen network to the provinces would "revitalize" the countryside. Instead, the high-speed trains served as a "straw" that sucked up the regions' functions, so they could all be served from the Tokyo metropolitan area. Once I went to the Honda museum and raceway in Tochigi prefecture. From Utsunomiya there was only one bus that went there in the morning and another that returned in the afternoon. If you missed either of those you were out of luck. (There was a station for a small local train, but it was a considerable distance from the raceway.) Obviously you've got to have a car in those places or you can't go anywhere.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

We know people who retired sold up in Tokyo and moved out. Others wanted a better place for their children. The nearest hospital for us is a five-minute walk but there are more than ten hospitals within 30 minutes.

This year a brand new major hospital was opened. 730 beds.

https://hgmc.hyogo.jp/index.html

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

wallace

Today 11:20 am JST

Here is the flaw in your opinion.

(Not impolite to point out a flaw)

Now you go on about you know XYZ people, you have friends, etc..

So here is the flaw.

The government is trying to reverse the trend of people moving into Tokyo.

So saying you know people that aren't interested means nothing, the actual facts are and I repeat FACTS the countryside is depopulating and people are moving into the major cities.

So I also know people that prefer the open space in Ibaraki etc... they live in, that does not change the fact more have left were they live (to be closer to Tokyo) than have move into the area.

Your opinion doesn't mean much if the government and stats are clearly saying people are not remaining in the countryside.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

wallace

Today 11:37 am JST

We know people who retired sold up in Tokyo and moved out. Others wanted a better place for their children. The nearest hospital for us is a five-minute walk but there are more than ten hospitals within 30 minutes.

> This year a brand new major hospital was opened. 730 beds.

> https://hgmc.hyogo.jp/index.html

Good now tell the Japanese government they are wrong and people are not moving away from the countryside into the cities and this plan is not needed because people are not moving into Tokyo or other large cities because your research and feelings says so.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Now to upset just about all sides.

Antiquesaving

my comment has nothing to do with you and I would have posted my personal opinion even if you had not posted. We all have our own opinion and experience.

I don’t think Antiquesaving was engaging in an attack. I guess living in the countryside doesn’t salve all wounds.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

They could just wait till the population dies off?

I do appreciate that Tokyo is the safest big city in the world with good public transportation and lots to do, but I could do without the Hustle and the bustle.

Post retirement, I'm thinking of moving back to Western Japan to make the retirement funds stretch out and I wouldn't be that surprised if I am not the only one.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

13 million people live in Tokyo. 61% work. The largest employer is wholesale and trade. All the food markets are supplied from elsewhere.

Tokyo only survives because its infrastructure is supported from outside. Power, water, and food to name a few. All major products are manufactured outside of Tokyo. Many companies have their HQ there but the factories are elsewhere.

Tokyo can not survive alone.

Tokyo hospitals are very full and long waiting times.

More cases of covid and more deaths.

A national shortage of doctors and nurses.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Even though Tokyo is the most populated city/metropolitan area in the world, it doesn't feel that way. Vast majority of people are courteous and respectful of people's space. Where I live in Silicon Valley, it is much more chaotic and lots of rude people that invade your space, and seemingly try to interfere and create conflict.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@antiquesaving

Good for @wallace for not having to deal with the hustle and bustle of city life. I’d gladly move to the countryside if there were job opportunities.

And good for your children’s grandparents who live with their son enjoying Tokyo. You’re trying to say your (ex?) in laws live in Tokyo with your brother in law, right?

No need to be rude.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Antiquesaving

a simple question for you that even you should be able to answer.

How many people live in Tokyo and how many live in there and how many outside it? How would Tokyo survive without support from other locations?

   The current metro area population of Tokyo in 2022 is 37,274,000, a 0.18% decline from 2021.

   The metro area population of Tokyo in 2021 was 37,340,000, a 0.14% decline from 2020.

   The metro area population of Tokyo in 2020 was 37,393,000, a 0.11% decline from 2019.

   The metro area population of Tokyo in 2019 was 37,435,000, a 0.09% decline from 2018.

https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/21671/tokyo/population

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The draft strategy, which will be finalized at a cabinet meeting next Friday, specifies measures and numerical targets to be implemented from fiscal 2023 to eliminate net population inflow into Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa.

seems some don't read only use their feelings.

The area the government is talking about it 37 million people.

The FACTS are as the government is saying, more people are moving into the area every year.

So for some to continually try and say they know this or that, they know people, etc..is quite irrelevant.

The Japanese countryside has been suffering from depopulation for decades now and it is increasing and this attempt by the government will not change that nor will someone's opinion that the countryside is better.

The fact food comes from farm outside Tokyo means little as those farm will continue because of money and demand, possibly in the end like North America and Europe migrant seasonal workers will be needed to pick the crops but the facts remain.

Countryside is depopulating and cities are growing if not why is the government trying to come up with this plan?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Osaka is the second largest city but the population is declining.

   The current metro area population of Osaka in 2022 is 19,060,000, a 0.27% decline from 2021.

   The metro area population of Osaka in 2021 was 19,111,000, a 0.28% decline from 2020.

   The metro area population of Osaka in 2020 was 19,165,000, a 0.3% decline from 2019.

   The metro area population of Osaka in 2019 was 19,223,000, a 0.3% decline from 2018.

https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/206459/osaka/population

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

You’re trying to say your (ex?) in laws live in Tokyo with your brother in law, right?

Yes ex but we are all still very close, we (my adult children and I) share in the care as my single ex brother in law couldn't do everything and work.

We used to go regularly to their home in Shizuoka but it became far to difficult despite 4 of us sharing duties.

We are now in the process of trying to move my present wife's elderly family members that are in poor health closer to Tokyo from Niigata because we cannot care at this distance.

This is a situation repeated daily around Japan and a stated by the government reason for more people moving away from the countryside.

In our Tokyo area nearly 1/4 of the homes have been renovated to create "double kitchen" homes these are home with multiple generations living in two sections.

All that house on our street are now double kitchen with the exception of the two apartment buildings.

Yes my place is set up for that if the need arises.

My point is simple saying living in the countryside is better doesn't change the facts.

People are leaving the countryside, the government is pointing that out and that is the reason behind this plan.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

There will be no need to. All of Japan is in decline, including Tokyo. It's only going to accelerate too. I have boficed of late a lot of people interested in moving out into the provinces anyway, despite policies to keep Tokyo overcrowded.

The government can stay inept as usual and do jack. The problem will take care of itself, especially after the "big one" comes.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Tokyo houses and most apartments are like rabbit hutches. We are just two in a 6LDK with a large garden right next to open farming land full of over-winter green cabbages at the moment. 10-minute walk to the beach to pick up locally caught fish. Just bought some pink Mackerel fish and Tongue Fish. New Oysters are in season.

Overnight in total silence. I love it.

Many houses in our area are 10 LDK plus and many families are already two and even three generations living in them. Streets are wide enough for two cars to pass.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Very against the Japanese constitution. Sounds very similar to the disgusting CCP.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The average Tokyo house is 66 sq m. In 2020, the home-ownership ratio in Tokyo was 45%, below the national average of 61.2%.

What is the average listing price for a new house in Tokyo? · Greater Tokyo Area: ¥36,850,000

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I wish there was somewhere I could place a bet on these measures failing. I would happily put my life savings on it.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Six adults living in one small Tokyo house is not a solution for anyone. Everyone should at least have their own room.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The big earthquake will provide the solution. I know many Kobe people who left and never went back.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

The average Tokyo house is 66 sq m. In 2020, the home-ownership ratio in Tokyo was 45%, below the national average of 61.2%.

> What is the average listing price for a new house in Tokyo? · Greater Tokyo Area: ¥36,850,000

Tokyo houses and most apartments are like rabbit hutches. We are just two in a 6LDK with a large garden right next to open farming land full of over-winter green cabbages at the moment. 10-minute walk to the beach to pick up locally caught fish. Just bought some pink Mackerel fish and Tongue Fish. New Oysters are in season.

Now great!

So explain why the government is trying to reverse people moving into Tokyo more than moving out.

Everything you said is again irrelevant the facts are the population in the Tokyo region is increasing.

I am not sure what point you are trying to make? Are you say the government stats that more are moving into Tokyo area are wrong?

Again say what you like but facts you know facts say people are moving into the Tokyo area

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Lived in Kobe after the earthquake. Great city to live in.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

wallace

Today 12:45 pm JST

Six adults living in one small Tokyo house is not a solution for anyone. Everyone should at least have their own room.

Are you trying to convince yourself?

Took a break wife wanted something from the store so I walked to the store bought what she wanted and am back.

I have to go to the pharmacy and get my prescription soon online order it is ready so I will walk the less than 100 metres and back.

Oh how living in the city is difficult the driving to get everything, forgetting Milk having to take the car to the store again, etc.. oohh wait I don't need to drive anywhere it is all within 5 minutes walk including the metro station.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Rodney

Today 12:45 pm JST

The big earthquake will provide the solution. I know many Kobe people who left and never went back

Population of Kobe surpassed the pre earthquake population in 2004 and is now still over the pre earthquake level.

So maybe your friends didn't go back but a lot more did.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Fact is population is decreasing everywhere.

Tokyo greater area is just taking in those who can't find jobs.

Like any great country, Japan offers a wide range of quality life whether in countryside or city.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Antiquesaving

I have not dismissed your choice to live in Tokyo and have not once criticised you for doing so. If that suits you or not it is your choice. My choice is not living in Tokyo but you find that difficult to accept for a reason I cannot understand.

I have not suggested you leave Tokyo.

In fiscal 2021, which ran from April last year until March, the number of people moving into the four prefectures exceeded those moving out by around 84,000. Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa.

Four prefectures, not just Tokyo. The numbers are small when compared with the number of empty homes.

You currently have four adults and a workshop in a small house and planning on moving two more in and having dual kitchens. Gee where do you all sleep?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

There seems to be an argument re net flow of people in and out of Tokyo area. Article already spelled it out.

> In fiscal 2021, which ran from April last year until March, the number of people moving into the four prefectures exceeded those moving out by around 84,000.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

But whether or not there are more people moving in or out is not the point of the article.

It's that the Tokyo area is overpopulated and the govt is trying to address that by encouraging people to move elsewhere.

Means even if there are more people moving out than in, the govt still wants Tokyo area to be depopulated at a faster pace

1 ( +1 / -0 )

After reading the headline, I was thinking "Battle Royal" style solution. ;)

There is much to like about Tokyo and much to dislike, but I've learned that taste is extremely subjective. We prefer being close enough to a city, but not so close that we can't have complete silence in the back of the house and not worry about neighbors being loud.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A revitalization strategy set by the administration of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December 2014 aimed to eliminate the net population inflow into Tokyo by the end of 2020.......

Well, clearly it failed. Just like he did.

Anyone got new suggestions?

I'm sure Aso and Kishida don't.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I mean, it's genuinely too little, too late. Not too long before this article was posted, I had distinctly noticed that even afternoon weekday hours are starting to look more and more like rush hour. You'll be hard-pressed to get a seat on the train, unless you're willing to push some poor defenseless person who got in line before you. There are already far too many people in Tokyo, and while I dream of moving out of the city (as someone who was born and raised in the countryside), you will have to create a number of rewarding career opportunities away from Tokyo to make that even feasible. It's already getting harder and harder to survive with the average salary in an increasingly expensive country.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

A revitalization strategy set by the administration of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December 2014 aimed to eliminate the net population inflow into Tokyo by the end of 2020.......

Well, clearly it failed. Just like he did.

Anyone got new suggestions?

I'm sure Aso and Kishida don't.

If wallaces' figures are correct then clearly it did not fail

  The current metro area population of Tokyo in 2022 is 37,274,000, a 0.18% decline from 2021.

   The metro area population of Tokyo in 2021 was 37,340,000, a 0.14% decline from 2020.

   The metro area population of Tokyo in 2020 was 37,393,000, a 0.11% decline from 2019.

   The metro area population of Tokyo in 2019 was 37,435,000, a 0.09% decline from 2018.

https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/21671/tokyo/population

1 ( +2 / -1 )

then clearly it did not fail

wrong wording, should be not clear that it failed

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Awa no Gaijin

Today 01:40 pm JST

Declining birthrate and overpopulation.

> Hmm.... go figure

> I live in Okinawa and my experience is Tokyo people are not the friendliest types.

> Not fair to generalize i know.

> Oh well.

> Tokyo is disgusting

Over 30 years in shitamachi Tokyo.

Moved nearly 3 years ago one station over still shitamachi.

Knew all my neighbours, extremely friendly needed a favour or help no problem.

As a single father working I sometimes was late getting home before gakudo (after school care) finished and my neighbours never hesitated to bring my children into their house while they waited for me to get home.

When my son was in hospital for surgeries my neighbours offered cooked meals as I juggled work hospital and my daughter.

In my new shitamachi neighbourhood things are no different we were quickly greated the strange and complicated trash collection system was nicely explained with some neighbours even making sure we had the hang of it for the first 2 months.

Out elderly neighbours got sick ambulance took him to the hospital he lives alone one neighbour went with him 2 more followed by car this was 3 AM .

For the next 3 weeks while he was in the hospital we all took turns caring for his cat, cleaning around his house, etc ..

I keep hearing about this not friendly Tokyo but I haven't seen it yet!

Last week in Minato-ku I saw a tourist ask a passerby directions, the Japanese man in a business suit actually took the couple to where they were going and then returned to go do whatever he was supposed to be doing/going.

I see this all the time in "mean old" Tokyo.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I do not miss those peak-hour trains and don't need groping insurance. But I enjoy the art museums and shopping. Stay with family and friends in Tokyo or Chiba when we visit. Not enough green open spaces. Happy to visit, happy to leave.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@GBR48

So let me put it this way: who wants to move to the unlikely-to-be-bombed small suburban towns of Japan?

Unless you are not fighting Russia or China that logic does not work anymore!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Antiquesaving is actually right on this!

Now to upset just about all sides.

The actual correct thing to be doing is proper redevelopment of the Tokyo, Osaka etc... areas.

More people less wasted space less impact on the country as a whole.

Everyone moving away from the big cities is the worst thing possible.

1) It less eco-friendly (You need to destroy more nature to satisfy people living arrangements. You also need more cars which means more pollution. You need more natural resources for building materials like cables, pipes, concrete, houses, buildings. It also means lost habitat for the animals in nature. Not to mention all the replacements and repairs.)

2) Less energy efficient (It cost more money and energy to power a suburban neighbor far away from the city than an urban high-rise apartment buildings. You actually lose some of the energy along the way to its destination from the power source.)

I have a family member who is an urban planner by profession.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

To the countryside is so much better crowd.

Remember if ( a very improbable if) the government succeeded in getting people to leave Tokyo and other "overcrowded" large cities, remember those people will want what you have, large land large houses, we call the suburbs urban sprawl.

Do you think people are going to leave Tokyo apartment condos with easy access to everything, to move far away into another apartment condo system with far less conveniences?

So what will happen is what we see in much of North America, more people living in more areas spreading untill those once countryside places are now urban just instead of a high building on a small area it will be hundreds if not thousands of acres now with the same number of people and far less trees and wildlife.

Then when there are too many minorities in their surburban area, they rush back in the downtown area to scoop up the abandoned real estate, alter it, and kick out the remaining minorities!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@wallace

Osaka is the second largest city but the population is declining.

   The current metro area population of Osaka in 2022 is 19,060,000, a 0.27% decline from 2021.

   The metro area population of Osaka in 2021 was 19,111,000, a 0.28% decline from 2020.

   The metro area population of Osaka in 2020 was 19,165,000, a 0.3% decline from 2019.

   The metro area population of Osaka in 2019 was 19,223,000, a 0.3% decline from 2018.

That is irrelevant! The city' population is not declining because people are leaving the city to live in the country. The population is declining because there are not enough young people having babies to replace the people dying!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

They need to spread the government departments to other prefectures to attract companies to move also to other prefectures.

Can't be just talking about asking companies to move.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If the lack of employment, education and entertainment options is not a problem then the great inaka is fine.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How does this mesh with trying to make Tokyo the flight hub of Asia, and with people MOVING to big cities because by 2030 hundreds of small towns will cease to exist?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

92% of the population lives in cities and urban areas.

No changes since 2011.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/270086/urbanization-in-japan/

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Yeah right. In my neighbourhood any houses demolished or blank spaces are being replaced by 10 storey shoebox apartment buildings that all look the same.

Decentrslising government functions is a good place to start, not they are actually serious about this.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Last week in Minato-ku I saw a tourist ask a passerby directions, the Japanese man in a business suit actually took the couple to where they were going and then returned to go do whatever he was supposed to be doing/going.

so you follow people?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

wallace

Today 08:17 pm JST

Last week in Minato-ku I saw a tourist ask a passerby directions, the Japanese man in a business suit actually took the couple to where they were going and then returned to go do whatever he was supposed to be doing/going.

> so you follow people?

Nice try, I have a life in the city not sitting around in inaka on JT all day.

I was meeting a client sitting in a nice cafe on the terrace having coffee and pie.

Oh right you need to travel how far to find such a place?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Oh right you need to travel how far to find such a place?

About three minutes to an artisan cafe. 10 minutes to a French Patisserie cafe. 10 minutes to a traditional Japanese tearoom and cakeshop. 10 minutes to a cafe next to the sea. Many others.

Really, you have no idea. I too live in a city just not Tokyo.

But I don't spy on people or keep screenshots.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The current metro area population of Osaka in 2022 is 19,060,000, a 0.27% decline from 2021.

Yep I did some checking.

Like Tokyo more people moved into Osaka than moved out.

The decrease in population is due to the same thing all over Japan.

Low birth rate and more deaths.

But yes the population declined.

And reminder the article is about more moving in to the Tokyo area than moving out, not about the national population decline

0 ( +3 / -3 )

When Russia/China or North Korea Nuke Tokyo, then people will have wished to relocate to the surrounding areas.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Musk suspended the Twitter accounts of the reporters for doxxing. Happens here too.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I suggest living in Okinawa and then go back to living in Tokyo for perspective.

Nah.

Not interested, too many negatives, far from everything, too much sun, small inconvenient, unless you had military base access, no way.

I will stick the the Kanto region nice mountains fresh water, good stream and river fishing and rarely a typhoon.

Besides beaches are just a nice skin cancer zone for the this pale rider.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I love Tokyo. Very friendly people.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

When I lived and worked Japan in the 1990s the government developed plans to move some of the government ministries to Sendai. Of course that never happened. Population distribution in Japan is terribly unbalance with the majority of people living in the strip of land between Tokyo and Fukuoka.

If you want to live in a large city choose Osaka or Fukuoka over Tokyo for many reasons. For retirement my wife and I are moving north. How far north is still under discussion. I am pushing for somewhere near Sapporo.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

There is no one perfect place to live. When we had a young family the suburbs were the place to be. Big house and garden, safe environment for kids and access to good schools.

But now we are retired, life in downtown Tokyo is far, far better. Shops, restaurants, hospitals, international travel - everything is far more accessible and abundant. And live in the right place, such as parts of Shibuya or Shinjuku and you will enjoy more trees than I ever saw living in suburban Osaka, Nagoya and Kyoto.

It comes down to “when” you live as well as “where” you live.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They should offer real incentives (tax breaks) to big businesses that are willing to relocate to somewhere like Fukuoka. Imo that would be the ideal location because it would also mean that all the cities in between could become more viable options for business headquarters. Fukuoka also has a much lower risk of earthquakes, which is probably only a good thing for any business wishing to locate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

84,000 more people moved into Tokyo than out? That is a very tiny drop in the bucket in a population of more than 37,000,000 people.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This reminds me of a yes, minister episode. The pm talks about regional relocation and all the civil servants say they're for it in principle, but that it would be just too hard.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites