In a report released on the 24th by the private organization Population Strategy Council, many municipalities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were classified as “municipalities at risk of disappearing.” Following a similar report 10 years ago, local governments that were labeled as “defunct” sigh and say, “We are doing everything we can, but…” (Natsuko Konno, Seio Nishioka, Asako Sunagami, Shingo Fukuda)
Although efforts are being made to promote settlement, Hinohara Village in Tokyo has been classified as a “municipality at risk of disappearing”
In Tokyo, Hinohara Village and Okutama Town were cited twice in a row as having a “possibility of extinction.” Although both local governments put effort into relocation and settlement measures, they were unable to escape from the crisis of “extinction.”
“I can’t say much because I haven’t seen the details yet, but we have to accept the data as a result,” said Okutama Town Mayor Nobumasa.
In Kanagawa Prefecture, five of the six municipalities designated as “municipalities at risk of disappearing” have been listed twice in a row. Hakone Town Mayor Hiroyuki Katsumata, who was faced with a harsh assessment that measures to combat natural and social attrition are “extremely necessary,” commented, “It’s unfortunate, but we’ve done everything we can.”
Since fiscal year 2019, the town has been implementing unique childcare support measures nationwide, including the prefecture’s first free school lunch program for public elementary and junior high schools, and subsidies for households that transport high school students in their own cars. Mayor Katsumata is proud, saying, “The population has remained roughly the same over the past five years, and we are seeing some results.”
Miura City’s population has continued to decline, from nearly 55,000 in 1994 to below 40,000 in March of this year. Although a person in charge of the city’s policy division emphasizes that the city is not sitting idle, it is difficult to find a solution to the situation.
In Saitama Prefecture, 14 municipalities, including Chichibu City, have once again been placed on the list of “in danger of extinction.” A 63-year-old self-employed man from Chichibu City looked troubled and said, “Even if I was told that, I don’t know what to do.” He says, “We have no choice but to appeal to the natural conditions such as delicious water and earthquake resistance to attract immigrants.”
Since the report was made 10 years ago, the city has worked to establish a new immigration consultation center and expand childcare support. However, the rate of decline in the young female population is worsening. “This is due to the tendency for women who move out of the city to attend university or other reasons not to return to their hometowns when they get a job,” the official said. This year, we are planning a bus tour to promote the appeal of local businesses for parents and children at elementary and junior high schools in the city. The idea is to help retain women.
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The Population Strategy Council, a private organization made up of business community volunteers, announced on the 24th that 744 local governments, or more than 40% of all municipalities nationwide, are experiencing a serious population decline and are at risk of disappearing in the future. A report was published.
Tags: told danger disappearing dont do .. local governments named Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web
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