Motivations and Niches in Social Context of Rural Youth Returning to Their Hometowns

A Case Study of Osakikamijima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture

Abstract

This paper analyzes interviews with young people who return to their hometowns in rural areas where the population continues to decline. In particular, we focus on the mezzo-level factors that influence homecoming and examine their contemporary characteristics. The results show that the current social context in rural areas is related to the diverse values of the young people, which causes them to return to their hometowns.

The study area is Osakikamijima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, where numerous internal migrants have arrived in recent years. However, this area has various problems caused by the decrease in the population, as many young people leave the area for higher education or employment. Nevertheless, the young returnees seem to have a positive evaluation of their hometown. First, even though the majority of their age group has left the area, the memories of life in their hometown, which are built by family and community ties, are the reason for their return. Second, family members and relatives are connected to the local informal labor market and function as a social resource by introducing these young people to work opportunities and providing child-rearing support. As a result, the locality is a relatively better living environment for young people, whose life course is unstable in terms of employment and family formation. Third, local social conditions that make sustainability difficult call for new businesses to solve local problems, rather than simply inheriting family businesses. Finally, their awareness of numerous local problems encourages young people to return to their hometowns to seek solutions, linking them to their self-realization.