Abstract
Many rural areas of Japan face dwindling and increasingly elderly population, which threaten the sustainability of the society. To address these challenges, the "associated population" has recently been gaining attention from government and municipalities as a key factor in revitalizing local regions. Empirical research is needed to ensure that such relationship is sustainable for both parties. However, because the concept of associated population is vague and broad, it is important to understand its actual status. In this study, to clarify the elements that deepen relationships with the community, we conducted a survey focusing on activities in Hida City. The main findings are as follows: 1) The presence of friends in Hida City and participation in on-site activities are related to community attachment and sense of responsibility. 2) On-site activities will contribute to the continuation of the relationship. 3) The perceived attractiveness of on-site activities from residents when joining the Hida City Fan Club may influence the subsequent deepening of the relationship.
https://ror.org/035t8zc32 
