The government plans to launch a new registration system to encourage people to keep strong connections with rural areas hit by depopulation, aiming to sign up more than 10 million users over the next decade.
The initiative is a hallmark of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's efforts to revitalize regional areas, as Japan has been unsuccessful in reversing a long-term trend of overconcentration of people in Tokyo and other major cities.
The launch of the program will be included in a government strategy to be finalized later this year to rev up regional growth. While details have yet to be worked out, people wishing to use the system would be asked to register via a smartphone app with local governments of their choice, which would then issue certificates.
Among potential users are repeat tourists and other frequent visitors to rural areas, as well as those who donate money by using the government's "furusato nozei," or hometown tax system, that gives tax incentives to people who make tax payments to municipalities of their choice and receive local specialties in return.
Registered nonresidents would receive information on local events or services but whether the program can broaden its appeal through more tangible benefits remains unclear.
Ishiba's government also wants to encourage people to live and work in multiple areas to facilitate the flow of city dwellers into other parts of the country.
Migration to the Tokyo metropolitan area accelerated in 2024 from a year ago with a net inflow of over 9,000, after a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A senior official in one prefecture was critical of the latest plan, saying, "It's nothing new. I don't see at all what kinds of sectors they want to foster to revitalize regional economies."
© KYODO
7 Comments
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sakurasuki
Aiming, JGovt can aim anything but at the end reality will speak by itself.
In rural area, even a simple thing like Convenience store will be hard to find, the nearest one need to drive for sometime. Not to mention emergency service, where's the nearest hospital will be, how long does it take to get there.
He got the point!
MarkX
Is that all? I think all of the university students who moved to Tokyo to study would total 9000 alone. Then all of the others who moved to work, the number must be higher than that!
GBR48
Or folk could follow the prefecture they visit, hail from or are interested in by subscribing to their Facebook page or Xitter feed. Events would appear on their feed. Would do the same, and wouldn't cost the taxpayer a bean.
A good example: https://www.facebook.com/tottoritouren/
kohakuebisu
This sounds like the brainchild of someone who is or fancies themself as a consultant, but as GBR48 says, it all happens already for anyone who wants it.
What Japan needs is decentralization. Aside from spreading the wealth, this would build resilience against that huge earthquake everyone knows is coming.
kohakuebisu
Its not many people, but rich older suburbanites have also been moving into Tokyo. They're one buyer of tower mansions. They move to Tokyo because they want to be car free and near hospitals.
CaptDingleheimer
How about tax incentives for companies to allow remote work, and opening satellite branches in smaller cities, and creating significant housing incentives for younger people to move to more rural areas?
If you’re a young Tokyo couple living in a smaller town or city in a bigger home with more natural space around while still making near Tokyo money, that’s a much better environment for raising children.
Garlic eater
Graft. Another waste of taxpayer money to make rural voters happy. When will it end?