Tokyo region’s net inflow of residents reaches 6-year high
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the greater Tokyo area (Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa) saw a net inflow of 119,357 residents in 2015. This is the 20th year in a row to see a net inflow, and is the highest level seen since 2009.
Only 8 of Japan’s 47 prefectures reported a net inflow, while areas such as Hokkaido (-8,862), Hyogo (-7,409), Niigata (-6,735), Aomori (-6,560), and Shizuoka (-6,206) saw more people moving out to other areas. Approximately 76% of Japan’s cities, towns and villages recorded net outflows in 2015, as more and more of the population move to larger cities.
Tokyo’s 23 wards saw a net inflow of 68,917 residents, up 7.7% from 2014.Read more
Hope for Kamakura’s modernist museum
One of Japan’s exemplary models of modern architecture - the Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura - now stands a chance at being saved from demolition after a recent structural analysis found that it could be reinforced against earthquakes.
The Kanagawa Prefectural Government is also in discussions with the landowner, the nearby Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine, to seek an extension to the land lease.
In late 2013, it was reported that the prefecture decided against renewing the lease due to the high costs of maintaining the buildings and the anticipated costs of retrofitting. The prefecture announced plans to close the museum at the end of March 2016. Under the terms of the lease, any buildings were required to be demolished before returning the land to the Shrine.Read more
Two small towns offering free homes to attract new residents
In an effort to attract young families from outside the area, two small towns are offering free house and land packages.
Miyagi Prefecture
The town of Shichikashuku in Miyagi Prefecture will provide a 'rent-to-own' house to qualifying residents. After renting the home for 20 years, the tenants will receive the house and land for free.
Kyoto's traditional boathouses to be rented out
To combat the growing number of empty and unused traditional boathouses in Kyoto's Ine Town, the local government is considering plans to rent these houses out to new residents.
The scenic area is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Read more
Historic villa restored and open to the public in Nagoya
Nagoya City has completed the restoration of the historic Choshokaku reception hall (c1935) and will open the building to the public from August 29.
The hall is part of the Yokiso estate which was owned by Suketami Ito (1878 - 1940), the first company president of the Matsuzakaya Department Store.Read more
Karuizawa population reaches record high
The population in Karuizawa has exceeded 20,000 residents for the first time since it received a town status in 1923.
From the 1980s to 1990s, the town's population hovered at around 15,000 residents, but began to grow again after the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen station shortened the trip to Tokyo to about 70 minutes. The town is estimating that the local population will reach 21,000 by 2022. The population in 1923 was 5,012 residents.Read more
Saitama's "Johnson Town" resembles US suburb
While Hokkaido has its own version of a Swedish village, Saitama has 'Johnson Town' a small neighbourhood of American-style homes built to house the US forces during the Korean War in the early 1950s.
Although much of Johnson Town's atmosphere can be attributed to it's re-development in the 1950s, the history of this enclave dates back even further.Read more