Population outflow from Tokyo exceeds inflow

Nov 04, 2020 | News On Japan

Nov 04, 2020 (NHK) - A new survey shows that more people moved out of Tokyo than migrated to the metropolis in the six months through September amid the spread of the coronavirus.

Japan's Internal Affairs Ministry says about 194,400 people moved to Tokyo between April and September, while nearly 200,000 moved out of the capital in that period.

May was the first month since 2013 that saw a net drop in population. Outflow also exceeded inflow from July through September.

Of those who left Tokyo, about 44,200 moved to Kanagawa, 35,800 to Saitama and 26,800 to Chiba -- the three prefectures surrounding Tokyo.

Okada Yutaka, Senior Research Officer at the Mizuho Research Institute, says the pandemic has encouraged people to live in rural or suburban communities instead of big cities.

And he says if people have more flexibility in where and how to live, it can help with regional revitalization.

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