Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
## ☑ The Case of Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture

There are specific examples such as Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture (Figure 2-1-9) that have achieved a continuous population increase by social factor (Figure 2-1-10). 70% of those moving into Hokuto City come from outside of Yamanashi Prefecture, with the commonality that many are coming from metropolitan areas, attracted by the rich local resources like the beautiful mountains such as Mount Yatsugatake, and the longest daylight hours in Japan. The background for this trend, in addition to being relatively close to the metropolitan area with easy access such as Chuo Interchange, is that there is a successful system in place that works to do things like secure employment opportunities through the attraction of enterprises and eliminate deserted arable land, in order to support those wanting to live in rural areas.
## ■ Countryside Return Happening in the Hilly and Mountainous Area of Shimane Prefecture

According to the research by Shimane Prefecture Mountainous Region Research Center, in looking at the hilly and mountainous area of Shimane Prefecture $ {^{Note 23}} $ more closely by checking the basic community unit (primary living area equivalent, average of 1,370 people) such as elementary school district or community centers, rather than the municipal unit of the Basic Residents Register, there are notable districts that show an increase in the number of children and of women in their 30s (Figure 2-1-11, Figure 2-1-12). Dividing the hilly and mountainous areas of Shimane Prefecture into 227 areas and comparing 2009 to 2014, it is evident that there is an increase in the number of children under age 4 in 69 areas (approximately 30% of the areas) and the number of women in their 30s in 96 areas (approximately 42% of the areas). The Center has been conducting interviews in the communities and has concluded that many of those moving into the hilly and mountainous areas are not looking for convenience or financial gain but rather an environment to raise children and to connect with traditions, people, and nature.

$ ^{*} $ Comparison of Residents with Japanese Citizenship Based on the Basic Resident Register

Source) Shimane Prefecture Mountainous Region Research Center

The Increase/Decrease in the Number of Women in their 30s in the Hilly and Mountainous Area of Shimane Prefecture (2009 vs 2014)

## (2) Analysis of Awareness of Rural Return Based on Questionnaire

As is known, there are the U-Turners that move back to their hometown and the I/J-Turners $ ^{24} $ . those that move to an area different from their hometown. According to the “Market Intelligence & Forecast” $ ^{25} $ conducted by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. using citizen monitors in annual surveys, approximately 36% of those moving to the metropolitan areas and approximately 21% of those moving to rural areas are people coming from other prefectures, indicating that it is a relatively larger ratio for the metropolitan areas (Figure 2-1-13). Additionally, in the survey conducted by MLIT (hereafter “Public Awareness Survey”) $ ^{26} $ , a more detailed breakdown has been done for the residents of Rural Areas, which showed that approximately 23% were permanent residents, approximately 55% were U-Turners and approximately 14% were I/J-Turners $ ^{27} $ , making it evident that there are very few people who have never lived in another place (Figure 2-1-14).
Source) "Market Intelligence & Forecast" by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Figure 2-1-14 Breakdown of Rural Area Residents

*Temporary Resident is one who is “a person temporarily residing in the district due to such things as their own or a family member’s job transfer, nursing or caring for family member, attending school or due to evacuation.”

Source) “Public Awareness Survey” by MLIT

Next, we would like to analyze the awareness of citizens by attributes such as permanent resident or migrant, generation, and region.

(Those “with” connections to rural areas have more desire to move to rural areas than those “without”.)

In studying the desire to move to rural areas in the “Public Awareness Survey”, it became clear that of the people living in metropolitan areas, those with a connection to the rural areas have more of a desire to move to rural areas than those without a connection to rural areas. Specifically, people who came from rural areas to live in the metropolitan areas, and people who came from the metropolitan areas and are currently temporarily living in rural areas for reasons like job transfers, caring for family members, further education, etc. show a greater tendency to want to move to rural areas (Figure 2-1-15, Figure 2-1-16). Furthermore, it is clear that the residents of metropolitan areas who originally came from rural areas have the most pride in their place of origin (Figure 2-1-17).

It can be inferred from this that there is a certain number of people who find the rural areas more attractive than the metropolitan areas, based on their experience of living (or temporarily living) in the rural areas.

These factors indicate that the an expansion of the interacting population—those that have experience of living in more than one area—can be a catalyst for moving to rural areas.

Further, though there are less people who want to live where they were born and raised compared to three years ago (Figure 2-1-18), there is a relatively high number of those who do have that desire across the various age groups, especially among those living in rural areas (Figure 2-1-19).

Desire to Move to Rural Areas According to Place of Origin (Residents of Metropolitan Areas)

Figure 2-1-15

Source) "Public Awareness Survey" by MLIT

Figure 2-1-16

Desire to Move to Rural Areas According to Current Place of Residence

Source) "Public Awareness Survey" by MLIT
(Most often the people who want to migrate to the Rural Areas want to move to the cities within the rural areas)

Those of the younger generation with a desire to migrate to the rural areas have a strong tendency to want to move to the cities of the rural areas. Also, although many of the people aged 60 and over wish to move to the rural cities, compared to the younger generation, more of them wish to migrate to the rural districts or villages (Figure 2-1-20). When speaking

of “return to rural areas”, key phrases such as “return to the countryside” and “living the slow life” are often used, but of those who seek to relocate there seems to be two major currents of people: those who seek to migrate to rural cities and those who seek to migrate to rural districts or villages, with a tendency of there being a greater ratio of the former.

Further, when asked the reason for living in the area they are currently located, there is a higher ratio of U-Turners who respond that they are there to take over family homes or business compared to other reasons, whereas the most frequent answer from I/J-Turners is that there is work there that they want to do (Figure 2-1-21). From this we can conjecture that I/J Turners tend to choose working in rural areas of their own volition. Either way it shows that there is
a very close connection between “migration to rural areas” and work.

Source) "Public Awareness Survey" by MLIT

(Biggest Attraction for Living in Rural Areas is the Abundance of Natural Environment)

When asked in the Public Awareness Survey about the attractiveness of living in rural areas, it became clear that for almost all items, people wishing to migrate to rural areas feel a stronger attraction to the rural areas than the permanent residents of the rural areas (Figure 2-1-22). It can be inferred that there is a sort of “longing” for rural areas by those who wish to migrate. Also, the thing that most attracts the people wanting to migrate is the abundance of the natural environment.

At over 80%, the primary attraction chosen is the abundance of natural environment, followed by the attractions of low cost of living, having more free time, spacious living environment, etc.

Based on the fact that many of the people wanting to migrate to rural areas actually want to move to the cities within rural areas, we can infer that the ease of access to nature which is possible from the rural cities is considered ‘abundance of natural environment’, rather than it being limited to the rural districts or villages. Those who aspire to living in rural cities seem to be seeking a good balance of a relaxed lifestyle, with the convenience of city living combined with excellent accessibility to nature. This is the flip-side

(Note) Response of choosing one of the following: "Could be an attraction", "Would not be an attraction", "Do not know" to the question "Which of the following items could be an attraction for you to live in a Rural Area?"

Source) "Public Awareness Survey" by MLIT
of those living in rural districts or villages who, for example, go to visit a rural city that is about an hour away by car to enjoy city life.

## (I/J-Turners are attracted to Rural Areas that are not too distant from the Metropolitan Areas)

In choosing an area for relocation, close proximity to the Metropolitan Areas seems to be a point of attraction for I/J-Turners (Figure 2-1-23). We can infer that they plan on regularly visiting the area where they lived before migrating, especially if they have family and friends in that area, and so they can conveniently enjoy city life.

## (For migrants, the lower risk of natural disasters is an attraction of Rural Areas)

People who actually migrated by U-Turning or I/J-Turning indicate that the lower risk of natural disasters is a point of attraction of their current area of residence (Figure 2-1-23). Although the consciousness of safety seems to have lessened a little as over four years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, even in 2014 over 80% have the desire to live in a safe areas with fewer earthquakes and tsunamis (Figure 2-1-24). The underlying need to be safe and secure still runs high and can be a specific reason for actually migrating to Rural Areas.

Source) "Public Awareness Survey" by MLIT
(Infrastructure is considered important by all groups)

All groups place value on infrastructure, such as a good shopping environment and transportation system, as well as proximity to hospitals (Figure 2-1-25). It seems that those who live in the rural cities as well as those who want to migrate to rural cities are both groups that consider infrastructure to be very important. Many of those wanting to migrate to Rural Areas especially value the shopping environment for daily necessities and following that, they value a well-developed transportation system. The fact that, compared to permanent residents and U-Turners, those wanting to migrate to Rural Areas and I/J-Turners place more value on good transportation may be because in choosing between multiple candidate areas for migration, most people want the benefits of convenience.

(Those wanting to migrate to Rural Areas value income but those who have actually migrated do not value it as much)

Of those wanting to migrate to Rural Areas, a very large number of people emphasize income level (Figure 2-1-25), and we can infer that there is a concern that quitting their current job to migrate to a rural area will result in lower their income level. As seen in Figure 2-1-6, this concern regarding income level seems to be the reason behind the low numbers of people who want to migrate immediately or within 5 years.
Next we will analyze the value system regarding work, as it seems to have a very close relationship to migrating to rural areas.

(The sense of excitement towards work is decreasing for the younger generation)

Compared to 3 years ago, along with a slight decrease in those who say they have time to spend with their families on weekdays (Figure 2-1-26, Figure 2-1-27), there is also a decrease in those who say they find satisfaction or fulfillment in their work, especially among the younger generation in their 20s (Figure 22-1-28, Figure 2-1-20). In concert with this, the ratio of those who think they want to continually work for improvement (promotion) is decreasing (Figure 2-1-30). In particular, among the younger generation in their 20s, those who “want to do so” or “May like to do so” exceeded the total of those who “Rather not to so” or “Do not want to do so at all” (29.9% : 27.6%) in 2011. By contrast, in 2014 the results were reversed (24.4% Note 28 : 31.7%) (Figure 2-1-31). This decrease in a sense of expectancy regarding work could be interpreted as a sign of the diversification in values, and may be serving as one of the triggers for migrating to rural areas.
Figures 2-1-26

Have Family Time on Weekdays

Source) "Market Intelligence & Forecast" by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Figure 2-1-27

Have Family Time on Weekdays (by Age Group)

Source) "Market Intelligence & Forecast" by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Figure 2-1-28

Work is Satisfying or Fulfilling

Source) "Market Intelligence & Forecast" by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Figure 2-1-29

Source) "Market Intelligence & Forecast" by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Figure 2-1-30

Want to Continually Aim to Improve Position (Promotion) in Company

Source) "Market Intelligence & Forecast" by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Figure 2-1-31

Want to Continually Aim to Improve Position (Promotion) in Company (by Age Group)

Source) "Market Intelligence & Forecast" by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
(Many people wanting to migrate to Rural Areas would like to earn a living by having a primary occupation along with an avocation such as farming)

Many of the working generation who actually live in Rural Areas earn their income from one occupation, and many of those wanting to migrate to the Rural Areas would like to earn their income from one occupation. However, it has become clear that compared to those who actually live in Rural Areas, there are more of those wanting to migrate to Rural Areas who want to earn an income by having an avocation such as farming along with their main occupation (Figure 2-1-32). This seems to be proof that there are a certain number of people who are seeking the so-called “slow life”. Although it is true that compared to the permanent residents, there are more U- and I/J-Turners who earn a living by having an avocation like farming along with their main vocation, it is not as large a ratio as hoped for by those who want to migrate to Rural Areas. In order to bridge this gap, it may become necessary to prepare many small employment opportunities so that people can juggle multiple jobs (such as farming in a neighboring village, temporary jobs in welfare, sixth industry, etc.) in Rural Areas.

Way of Working for People Living in Rural Areas and People Wanting to Migrate to Rural Areas

Source) “Public Awareness Survey” by MLIT

Next, by looking at the differences experienced before and after migration by the people who migrated, we would like to find the issues involved in their continuing to live in the new area.

## (Many people experience positive differences in the living environment after their Migration)

While many people experienced more positive differences than expected in the shopping environment, proximity of hospitals and the housing environment, in terms of the educational environment and level of medical and welfare services, most—particularly the younger generation—replied that they were as expected (Figure 2-1-33). The convenience in shopping and proximity to hospitals are things that become clear after actually trying it out, while education systems, medical and welfare services that are not used by every person. Therefore, it is to be expected that those who need the services will do some advance research before migrating, which accounts for the fact that for those services there are less differences in what is experienced from what was expected.

On the other hand, there were more people who experienced negative differences in the transportation infrastructure (ages 40 to 59) and the support systems (ages 40 to 59, over 60) after their migration than the number of people who experienced positive differences. These services are issues that need to be looked at in order for people to continue to live in the areas to which they migrate.

Furthermore, there are more people in the higher age groups than in the younger generation who experienced positive differences.
(Many people experience positive differences after migrating in the local characteristics of the areas to which they migrated)

Many people felt that the attractiveness of the area as well as the safety level of public security and disaster prevention was better than expected (Figure 2-1-34). The fact that there are many people who said that there was an increased level of understanding from their partner or family after migration means that there was an increased satisfaction level among those who migrated as a dependent of a partner or family member, and that they were able to experience the attractiveness of the new location by actually living there.

On the other hand, on whether it seemed possible to become friends with the local people (ages 40 to 59), there are more who experienced a negative difference rather than a positive difference than what was expected, making it clear that there is room for improvement in the preparation of the people migrating, as well as the acceptance framework of the local areas.

Here again, many of the older age groups experienced positive differences.
Source) "Public Awareness Survey" by MLIT

(Many of the younger generation experienced a negative difference in the economic environment after migration)

It is clear that there are many among the U-Turners and I/J-Turners of the younger generation who have experienced negative differences in the economic environment (Figure 2-1-35). Many of them especially felt that their income level was worse than expected and expenses had not decreased as much as anticipated. On the other hand, they have not felt much of a difference in overall living conditions, and the differences can be considered to be within expectations. However, if, for example, their children pursue higher education elsewhere, school expenses and allowances would be incurred, which could lead to an increase in living expenses. As mentioned before, many people have a mostly good impression of the living environment and the local characteristics overall. Therefore, we can see that making improvements in the income and expense factors will be key in getting the younger generation to continue living in the rural areas.

Furthermore, here again it is clear that the older age groups feel the positive differences more than the younger generation, and the satisfaction level for migration is higher overall for the older generation.
Source) "Public Awareness Survey" by MLIT

As stated before, since there are various reasons and motivations for migrating to rural areas, it is necessary to construct attractive qualities for various rural areas for various groups. Not all the younger generation want to migrate to the rural cities that offer a high degree of convenience, nor do all the older generation want to move to rural districts for the slow life. In actuality, there are some young people who want to live in rural districts(agricultural, mountain and fishing villages), while there are some older people who want to live in rural cities.

For example, in the “Working in the Countryside Troop” system which the MAFF has been conducting since 2009, 1,100 of mainly young people aged 20 to 30 have been sent to rural districts. More than half of these people have stayed to live in the local areas after their service term ended and are involved in activities such as agriculture, forestry, fishery and building up the local community. Approximately 80% of the members of the “Local Community Building Troop” system operated by the MIC since 2009 are aged 20 to 30, and 3,865 people have been dispatched to under-populated regions up through 2014. Of those members, approximately 60% (according to June 2013 survey) have settled in the same areas after their term of service was completed.

In Tottori Prefecture, a questionnaire survey for people known to have migrated to the area has been conducted since 2011, with the cooperation of the municipalities. Looking at the situation in 2013, many of those between the ages of 20 to 40 have migrated for reasons of employment, marriage and child-rearing, and those over 50 mainly migrated to return to their hometowns after retirement or because they wanted to live in the countryside. However, it is evident that there are a certain number of the younger generation who migrate because they aspire to country living (Figure 2-1-36).

In order to reverse the flow of people who left for Metropolitan Areas to return to the Rural Areas, fulfilling the widest possible range of aspirations of those wanting to migrate to rural cities can be effective, as seen in Figure 2-1-20. In other words, providing a level of urban

Source) Developed by MLIT from Tottori Prefecture's materials
## (Daily Life Experience of People Living in Small-scale Municipalities)

In the previous paragraph, the consumer spending of major cities and small-scale municipalities were compared, but what is the evaluation of the qualitative factors that cannot be given monetary value in the daily life of small-scale municipalities? According to the “Survey of the Causes and Living Conditions for Migration and Settlement in Small-scale Municipalities” Note $ ^{29} $ conducted by NTT Data Institute of Management Consulting, Inc. and NTT Com Research, the satisfaction level of life in small-scale municipalities is high in “Meals”, “Residence Environment” and “Sleep Time” categories, followed by “Shopping” and “Broadband Environment”, which were also rated high.

On the other hand, dissatisfaction is high in financial aspects such as “income” and “economic affluence”, as well as transportation aspects such as “transportation to neighboring cities” and “transportation within district” (Figure 2-1-40). In regards to income, according to the “Household Budget Survey” by MIC, compared to the average annual income of JPY6,440,000 in Major Cities, for Small B Cities/Towns/Villages it is JPY5,710,000 which is shows a tendency of approximately 10% less.
According to the “Awareness Survey of the Richness of ‘Stock of Local Traits’” Note $ ^{31} $ which studied the actual change in income before and after migration for 350 people who migrated to Rural Areas Note $ ^{32} $ , approximately 76% of the total answered that their income remained unchanged or decreased. Also, in terms of after-tax income, approximately 73% of the total responded that it remained unchanged or decreased. Therefore it can be said that comparatively few people improve their income or after-tax income by migration (Figure 2-1-41, Figure 2-1-42).

As seen above, since it is difficult to say that the financial aspect is favorable to the residents or people migrating to Rural Areas, it is supposed that there are “Attractive Traits of the Region” which cannot be evaluated by monetary measures that influence relocation to Rural Areas. Here we want to mention living off the land and sharing as examples of “Attractive Traits of the Region” which cannot be evaluated by monetary measures that indirectly affect the cost of daily living. Looking at the monthly monetary amount that equates to the value of living off the land and sharing, the ratio of those actually living off the land or sharing at the rate of approximately JPY10,000 a month is about 20% for all income levels, showing that in small-scale municipalities, there is an aspect of living off the land and sharing which supplements the food expense (Figure 2-1-43).