Housing acquisition and community participation by migrants in depopulated areas of Japan: A case study in Osaki Kamijima Town, Hiroshima

Abstract

In Japan, the number of migrants from urban to depopulated rural areas is increasing. The migrants’ participation in the local community encourages them to settle down and promotes revitalizing the area and utilizing vacant houses. This study aims to clarify housing acquisitions by the migrants to the depopulated area and the interaction with the locals after migration in Osaki-Kamijima town located in the Seto Inland Sea. Based on data gathered from questionnaires and interviews with migrants, the authors led that the migrants thought much about communications with the locals during the migration process and acquired housing through direct negotiations with homeowners. Also, we mainly indicated that there is a tendency to blend into the community while participating in local management activities.