抄録
The purpose of this article is to analyze a migration pattern within Japan with census data (1950) and other survey data. The main working hypothesis is E.G. Ravenstein's seven “Laws of Migration” (1885/1889).
Finally, I found a “current of migration” from the rural area to the great centers of commerce and industry in the distance (Centers of absorption of migrants) just as Ravenstein pointed out on Britain in nineteeth century. This current of migration can be represented numerically that migrants ennumerated in a certain center of absorption will grow less with the distance proportionately to the native population which furnishes them.
To say more precisely, the current of migration consists of three currents of migration ;
(1a) Rural area-Centers of absorption,
(1b) Rural area-Contiguous local towns (staying several months or several years) -Centers of absorption, and,
(2) Rural area-Contiguous local towns ; Local towns-Centers of absorption (Migrants are exchanged in the local towns).
It is usually said that the proportion of (1a) is large in Japan in compare with other countries. But, from my analysis, it is not true.
One important question is whether this current of migration is generated mainly by the push power of the rural area or by the pull power of the centers of absorption. While Ravenstein explained on nineteenth century Britain by the pull power, we must explain on modern Japan by the push power.
