Japan has the oldest society in the world, about 29% of its population being older than 65, while 15% is older than 75. Furthermore, the island country’s birth rate is declining, in 2021 it was the lowest since record, 1899.
Tokyo, the capital and the largest city in Japan, is the second-largest urban economy worldwide by GDP after New York City. The city is home to about 35 million people, meaning around a third of the entire population leaves here.
In an attempt to combat the rapid depopulation in the country’s rural areas, while hoping to improve the declining birth rates, the Japanese government announced it will offer up to 1 million yen (€7,250) per child, to families who opt to move out of Tokyo greater area. The incentive will be introduced in April this year and it is an upgrade of the programme already in place since 2019, offering 300,000 yen per child for families relocating.
As per reports, in 2021 1,184 people claimed the funds and moved out, which is way more compared to 290 in 2020 and only 71 in 2019. Authorities are estimating that by 2027, 10,000 people will benefit from the scheme.
Beneficiaries of the funds must live in the new location for at least five years, otherwise they will have to pay the money back, additionally they must be employed or plan to start a business in the new location.
Source: theguardian.com
