In the secluded village of Yanagibuchi in Yamagata Prefecture, the echoes of children’s laughter have faded, replaced by overgrown weeds in schoolyards and commuting paths. Makiko Ito, 67, reflects on the decline while gazing at the abandoned building of Nanzan Elementary’s Yanagibuchi branch, where her three children once studied. The small community has dwindled since Ito moved there nearly 40 years ago, initially filled with around 50 residents across a dozen households. As people left for more convenient areas, the school closed in 2000 due to a lack of students.
Today, fewer than ten people remain, including Ito’s family of five. Her son, who commutes over an hour to work outside the village, expresses a desire to relocate eventually. This mirrors a broader trend across Yamagata, where population peaked at 1.35 million in 1950 but dropped below one million earlier this year, marking a first since World War II.
The region faces continued population decline, exacerbated by young people, especially women, leaving. In the past year, 18- to 24-year-old women leaving outnumbered their male counterparts, worsening the demographic challenge. Predictions by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research suggest that by 2050, 40% of municipalities may have populations under 10,000, complicating the maintenance of essential services like healthcare and education.
To counteract these trends, some local governments and businesses collaborate to attract and retain young residents. Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture noticed fewer women returning after leaving for education compared to men. In response, it partnered with local businesses to create flexible job opportunities, such as “petite jobs,” leading to a slight increase in women returning by 2020.
Amid high living costs, even urban areas struggle with declining birth rates, reflecting a national issue. Shōzaburō Yuri, president of a local bag manufacturer in Toyooka, emphasizes the necessity for collective effort, advocating national discussions and solutions.
Political parties address these demographic challenges in their platforms. The Liberal Democratic Party focuses on seamless childcare support and promoting balanced regional growth to appeal to young people and women. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Democratic Party aims to enhance public education quality nationwide. The Japan Conservative Party proposes policies like increasing childbirth allowances with certain nationality requirements.
Overall, these initiatives reflect urgent efforts to rejuvenate rural areas and stabilize the declining population across Japan.
by MagazineKey4532