Changes in Employment Structure and Net Migration between 2005 and 2020 in Japan's Peripheral Areas: Focus on San'in Region

Abstract

 This study examines the relationship between employment structure and net migration in Japan's peripheral areas. The first objective is to clarify the regional characteristics of changes in industry-specific employment in Japan since 2005. Subsequently, three municipalities in the San'in region are used as case studies to analyze the relationship between changes in industry-specific employment and net migration in peripheral areas. From the perspective of the industries with the most employees, the employment structure in Japan since 2005 has differed by region: the major metropolitan areas around Tokyo and Osaka, the central part of the country surrounding the two metropolitan areas, and the peripheral areas outside these regions. In the major metropolitan areas, the proportion of workers in the knowledge-intensive sector is increasing, accompanied by net migration gains, leading to the formation of new industrial structures in a post-industrial society. The central part of the country, excluding the metropolitan areas, still maintains an employment structure heavily dependent on manufacturing and positioned within the spatial division of labor with the metropolitan areas. However, they are facing slight net migration losses, reflecting a decline in the number of manufacturing workers. In contrast, medical and welfare industry has become the industries with the most employees in the peripheral areas, including the San'in region. In terms of regional structure, it is noteworthy that medical and welfare dominates both in central cities within prefectures or smaller regions and in rural municipalities of mountainous or remote island areas. The primary shift to medical and welfare as the main employment industry in peripheral areas can be understood as a result of the decline of other industries. The decline of traditional industries such as wholesale, retail trade and manufacturing, coupled with the lack of knowledge-intensive sector and the weak employment absorption capacity of sectors such as tourism, have contributed to net migration losses in peripheral areas. However, even in the San'in region, the number of workers in the IFRSs (Information, Finance, Real estate, Scientific research and Professional services) is increasing, albeit slightly, in most municipalities. It is noteworthy that in Ama Town, the most disadvantaged area, there is a gradual link between net migration gains and an increase in the number of workers in IFRSs. There is a positive correlation between the composition ratio of the IFRSs workforce and net migration gains. Even in peripheral areas, it is crucial to promote a knowledge-intensive sector that can attract people from other areas.