The changing pattern of population distribution in Japan and its implications for developing countries∗

Abstract

Concentration of population in a few metropolitan areas is considered as a serious problem in developing as well as developed countries. Japan is no exception. During the 30 years since the World War II the population distribution in Japan has been shifting toward greater concentration in large metropolitan areas. One of the most striking characteristics of the Japanese experience is the rapidity of the change: during the period of fast economic growth nearly half of the prefectures were losing population in absolute terms due to out-migration to large metropolitan areas. There appears to have been a change in this situation recently however. The population registration record has revealed that none of the prefectures lost population in absolute terms during 1974. This is a phenomenal departure from the past trend which lasted for 18 years. This change has been preceded by a gradual decline in the number of prefectures losing population since 1970. Indeed Japans economy or society as a whole appears to have been undergoing substantial changes since around 1970. In terms of population distribution some observers state that there has been a U-turn phenomenon implying that more people started to migrate from large urban centers back to small urban centers and rural areas than vice versa. In terms of the economic growth of the economy as a whole there has been an apparent slowing down of growth rates. This change has coincided with rapidly intensified public concern with the quality of the environment and pollution. In addition there have been a number of other significant social changes such as an increase in concern over distribution of income and international political and monetary disturbances during recent years. The purpose of this paper is first to examine the nature of the recent change in the pattern of population distribution in Japan and then to identify the factors which are responsible for the change. (excerpt)