Abstract
In recent years, the concentration of population in the Tokyo metropolitan area has been increasing, and local cities are experiencing a decline in population. Local cities are seeking to maintain and increase their populations, seeking to improve community development that will improve population decline and lead to employment and creation of jobs for producers, as well as promote exchange among citizens and regions. In this study, we conducted a web-based questionnaire survey of residents in the Tokyo metropolitan area who had selected Gunma Prefecture as a potential migration destination. The results of the web-based survey revealed the following: Never-married persons under the age of 40 had a high need to emigrate to rural areas. In addition, richness of nature, work, and child-rearing were frequently cited as reasons for wishing to emigrate. As for the environment they seek in a place to which they would like to emigrate, they sought a natural environment, such as abundance of nature and weather conditions, and a living environment, such as access to Tokyo and housing conditions. Furthermore, the relationship between life stages and the attitudes and needs of prospective immigrants toward migration was clarified. The results of this study showed that it is effective for local cities that are working on countermeasures against population decline and vacant houses to communicate and strengthen local branding that takes into account the natural environment, accessibility to metropolitan areas, and housing environment that they seek. It was considered effective to implement policies that reflect the development of an environment that can propose a form of residence that takes into consideration the age and life stage of the targeted prospective residents.
