Post-WWII large-scale population movements in Japan have created a significant geographical divide between testators and heirs, revealing a social issue known as “long-distance inheritance.” This study quantitatively analyzes the impact of this phenomenon on financial asset flows using organized inheritance data. By clarifying the geographical distribution of heirs and the pathways of financial asset transfers, we provide numerical evidence that the outflow of assets from rural to urban areas exacerbates regional disparities and accelerates the concentration of wealth in Tokyo. This research reveals that the net outflow of financial assets associated with inheritance is diminishing the vitality of local economies, suggesting the need for fundamental measures to address the economic consequences of these demographic shifts.
