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Understanding the Current State of Depopulated Areas in Japan

Recently, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications conducted a comprehensive survey to ascertain the current status of communities in depopulated areas—a first in five years. This survey aims to provide an updated understanding of demographic dynamics and the viability of these areas as of April 2024.

Overview of the Survey

The survey, which targets communities existing within depopulated and disadvantaged regions, was undertaken to analyze demographic shifts since the last survey conducted in 2019. The assessment encompassed a total of 78,485 communities, with the latest population recorded at approximately 14.3 million residents, resulting in an average community size of 184.9 individuals.

Key Findings

Population Trends

One of the most striking findings of the survey is the significant increase in communities where over 50% of the residents are aged 65 and older, rising from 29.2% to 40.2% since the last evaluation. In contrast, the overall population in these regions decreased, with a recorded drop to 1.3 million people over the past five years, signifying a larger trend of aging communities.

The breakdown from the previous surveys indicates a decline in community numbers (from 76,015 to 75,321 communities, equating to a 0.9% decrease) and a reduction in community populations (from 1.4 million to approximately 1.3 million). This decline in community numbers was attributed not only to depopulation but also to community reorganizations, with 619 communities merging and 296 becoming entirely uninhabited.

Future Outlook for Communities

The survey gathered data on community sustainability, revealing a concerning forecast. Approximately 73.8% of communities expect to endure in the near future, down from 86.3%. Meanwhile, the anticipation of complete depopulation within the next decade holds steady at 0.6%. Among communities previously forecasted to lose their inhabitants, 63 have indeed become uninhabited.

Community Services and Support

A significant point raised by the survey is the role of support personnel in these communities. The proportion of villages with community support personnel, such as community advisors and local revitalization teams, saw an increase to 28.8%. This highlights a positive response attempt towards reversing depopulation trends, although substantial improvements are still needed as many villages lack sufficient access to essential services.

The survey also highlighted discrepancies in access to services, with villages predicted to become uninhabited showing markedly less access to supermarkets, restaurants, and healthcare facilities when compared to those anticipated to remain populated.

It noted that 64.5% of communities at risk of depopulation have substantial management issues regarding vacant homes and public infrastructure, revealing a critical area needing immediate intervention from local governments and support organizations.

Conclusion

The recently published survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism underlines the urgent need for policy adjustments and interventions aimed at supporting these vulnerable communities. With tangible demographic shifts posing a challenge to community sustainability, continued effort and strategic planning will be essential in addressing the complex issues of depopulation in Japan.

The complete report and additional details are available on the Ministry’s official website.