“How we understand our place”: A Study of Japanese University student's Place Attachment and Desire to live to Rural Areas

Abstract

Japan is facing increasingly severe challenges in rural areas, such as an aging and declining population and a lack of successors and young people. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan has emphasized that it is important to explain to younger generations the region's appeal for rural development. The purpose of this study was to understand how young Japanese university students' perceptions of rural areas, as well as what factors, influence their attachment to rural areas and willingness to reside there. 71 students from Chiba University in Japan were selected for the survey. Students were asked to tell their experiences in rural areas, and the traditional Place Attachment Scale was used to analyze. In addition, semantic analysis was used to analyze the results of the free description. As a result, we found that students' birthplace, visiting experience, degree of interaction with residents, willingness to migrate, and level of satisfaction with their visit affected their place attachment. Students are generally more satisfied with rural areas, but less willing to move. This research provides the following suggestions for improving young people's sense of responsibility and inheritance in rural areas,1) University can set up relevant courses on rural history, culture, and environment to improve students' knowledge and awareness of rural areas, and learn more about the environment and culture of rural areas. 2) In the Information Age, students should actively be encouraged to go to rural areas to engage in more nature.