The Importance of Daily Relationships in Mitigating Conflicts between Migrant Entrepreneurs and Local Residents in Depopulated Japan: Case Study of Minami-Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture

Abstract

As Japan’s population continues to age, the influx of migrants poses challenges to rural communities. By focusing on the behavior of a local majority population living together with migrant entrepreneurs, this study examines how conflict occurs and how it is prevented in the depopulated village of Minami-Izu, Shizuoka prefecture. We found that local residents over the age of 65 who were in daily contact with migrant entrepreneurs accounted for half of the village population and that they had a significant influence on the activities of the migrant entrepreneurs. Although most residents usually remained silent about migrant activity in the village, when a conflict occurred (or was predicted to occur), elderly residents tried to solve it by expressing their opinions in a step-by-step manner, ranging from offering suggestions based on minor differences in daily attitude to direct protests. Both groups affirmed the importance of carefully noticing small signs in daily attitude and learning lessons from conflicts so that all community members could live together stably. The open communication embedded in daily relationships is critical to improving community development.