Population Projection of Local Governments and Their Awareness of Coming Population Decrease

Abstract

A questionnaire survey regarding population projection and population decrease with target of local governments in Kanto Region reveals that two thirds of local governments still hope population increase, although the peak of population is approaching at the corner. Most of them project future target population in a bullish manner. However, only one sixth of local governments consider that their target population can be obtained. Also, most of the local governments are aware that population will decrease before long. These results show that local government officers are perplexed with large gaps of official statement vs. personal opinion, and ideal situation vs. the reality with respect of population.