#Japan #Tokyo #GDX #migration policy #settlement survey

Future Perspectives on Migration and Settlement Policies

The General Association for Promoting DX in Local Governments (GDX) has completed a comprehensive report based on a detailed survey covering 343 municipalities nationwide. The report presents the findings of the "Fiscal Year 6 Migration and Settlement Policy Actual Condition Survey," identifying practical challenges and barriers that hinder migration promotion efforts. To share these insights, GDX will hold an online seminar on May 28.

Key Findings from the Survey

The survey has brought to light five primary bottlenecks that impede the advancement of migration and settlement policies:

1. Lack of Human Resources: Approximately 59.7% of the municipalities reported that the personnel responsible for migration initiatives are those who manage multiple tasks, making it hard to establish a dedicated system for migration activities.

2. Low Conversion Rate from Consultation to Migration: On average, municipalities received about 79 migration consultations, but only about 29 actual migrations occurred. Alarmingly, 18% of municipalities reported zero new residents through migration programs.

3. Complex Record Management: A striking 60.6% of municipalities used Excel for record-keeping, and only 3.2% had adopted dedicated CRM systems. Nearly 44.7% expressed difficulties in understanding the status of consultation recipients, leading to inadequate follow-ups.

4. Challenges in Measuring Effectiveness: Nearly 46.8% of the municipalities found it tough to measure the effectiveness of their initiatives, while 44.4% pointed out the difficulty in reaching their target demographic.

5. Delayed Utilization of Digital Tools: The use of social media was suboptimal, with Instagram being utilized by only 34.7% of respondents, and around half (48.5%) had not implemented online video consultations.

Possible Solutions and Future Outlook

The survey revealed municipalities' intentions and willingness to address these issues in forthcoming initiatives:

• - Strengthening Collaboration with Experienced Migrants: The creation of opportunities for consultations with former migrants was rated as the top priority by 38.8% of participants.
• - Integration of Digital and Physical Initiatives: While 39.1% of municipalities emphasized revitalizing their social media accounts, they continue to value creating migration brochures and participating in relocation events (34.7% and 32.6%, respectively).
• - Standardization of Consultation Management: A foundational need for continuous migration policy operation lies in developing a standardized system for unified management and accurate sharing of consultation records.

Online Seminar Announcement

Details regarding the challenges unveiled in the survey, along with potential resolutions for municipal migration and settlement policies, will be discussed in an upcoming online seminar scheduled as follows:

• - Date: May 28, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (doors open at 9:50 AM)
• - Format: Conducted via Zoom (link to be provided two days prior to the event)
• - Participation Fee: Free
• - Capacity: Limited to 50 participants (first come, first served)
• - Target Audience: Local government officials and GDX members

Registration:
To sign up for the online seminar, please click here or contact us at:

• - Email: iju@gdx.or.jp
• - Phone: 03-6683-0106

About GDX

The General Association for Promoting DX in Local Governments (GDX) is dedicated to promoting digital transformation in municipalities, striving for sustainable community development. By partnering with various local governments, GDX supports the resolution of regional issues using digital technologies and fosters innovative creations. Acting as a bridge between local governments and businesses, GDX accelerates regional revitalization through digital transformation initiatives. For inquiries, please contact:

• - General Association for Promoting DX in Local Governments (GDX)
• - Address: 3F, R Cube Aoyama, 1-3-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Phone: 03-6683-0106
• - Email: info@gdx.or.jp
• - Website: www.gdx.or.jp