Key Factors in Determining Internal Migration to Rural Areas and Its Promoting Measures ? A Case Study of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture

This article examines the impact of population decline on regional economies by looking at the case of Hirosaki city in Aomori prefecture and analyzes the promotion of relocation as a means of countering that impact. In Hirosaki city, the population decline due to the outflow of youth is not only reducing the total production of the region but is also affecting the labor market structure. In order to consider how to promote relocation to Hirosaki, we analyzed migration from urban to rural areas. We found that in many cases, relocation to rural areas was people returning to their hometowns. This analysis also revealed that the presence of parents f homes is the strongest factor attracting people to rural areas. People relocating to rural areas tend to make the move after voluntarily taking actions that lead to the relocation, such as quitting their jobs. Among such people, a sense of satisfaction or happiness with work - life balance is significantly strong, indicating the likelihood that they will settle in rural areas over the long term. As a policy implication, the article points out the need to promote relocation with emphasis placed on returning to hometowns and housing measures.