2022 Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 197-209
This study provides an overview of regional differences and their trends in recent population census responses. Specifically, we analyzed the relationship between the response rates and the degree of urbanization at prefectural level. The results showed that: 1) While the unit nonresponse rates and their regional differences had increased since 2005, the urban–rural differences appeared almost unchanged or even narrowed in the 2020 census (estimated values). 2) The collection rates of census enumerators (i.e., submitting in person) decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and were partially replaced by mailed responses rather than Internet responses. These had a relatively greater impact in rural areas. 3) The percentages of unreported cases among foreign residents were generally higher than those among Japanese citizens, and the degree of regional differences was large and had been widening in recent years. In short, we found that the urban–rural differences in the population census responses were consistent, while the response rates and their regional differences varied by indicator, survey year, and nationality (Japanese/foreign). Researchers should be aware of the spurious regional differences caused by nonresponses when they utilize census data for empirical studies.
