Geographical Location Pattern of Immigrants’ Entrepreneurship in Rural Area

Case Study on Hyogo Prefecture

Abstract

In rural areas of Japan, depopulation has occurred; however, the number of migrants is increasing, thus resulting in an increase in entrepreneurs. By performing GIS analysis, this study analyses the locations where migrant entrepreneurship occurs in municipalities designated as depopulated or partially depopulated areas. The result shows that, even in depopulated areas, migrant entrepreneurship occurs in the central areas across all industries. Conversely, entrepreneurship is observed in more disadvantaged areas, particularly in sectors such as accommodation and food services industries, thereby indicating the presence of distinct industry-based characteristics.