【Research Report】Study on the Awareness of Young People Regarding Rural Areas 2024
Summary
Young people express a desire for rural life at a rate of 45.6% (combining "strongly desire" and "somewhat desire"). The main reasons are "attraction to the slow life in rural areas" (49.0%), "desire to escape urban bustle" (32.9%), and "possibility for a fresh start" (29.5%). This reveals urban fatigue as a driving factor. However, practical concerns prevent them from taking action, primarily "transportation accessibility" (61.6%), "job availability" (37.2%), and "financial considerations" (26.7%).
Regarding interest in regional revitalization activities, 51.0% of all respondents and 76.2% of those desiring rural life express interest (combining "interested and actively involved" and "interested but not involved"). Among those desiring rural life, 24.3% are actively involved. Among young people from the Tokyo area, 54.1% express interest.
Regarding the hometown tax donation, 23.9% have experience with it, while 42.4% express interest in making donations. 65.3% are interested in having a "second hometown" (combining those who "already have one" and those who "want one in the future") - a place they feel attached to beyond their birthplace. Among those who have both a "second hometown" and hometown tax experience, 72.3% discovered their second hometown through the hometown tax system. This figure reaches 79.8% among young people from the Tokyo area.The prefectures considered most ideal for rural living are Hokkaido, Nagano, and Gunma.
The detailed report in Japanese is available.
◆Research target ：
967 aged 15 to 29 living in the Tokyo metropolitan area（Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa）.
◆Research period ： September 19-25, 2024
◆Research method： Internet research