Elderly Make Up Half the Population in Japan's Oku-Noto Region

Feb 09, 2024 | News On Japan

Ishikawa, Feb 09, 2024 (News On Japan) - On March 8th, Ishikawa Prefecture, which suffered damage from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, published the estimated population by age as of October last year. In the heavily damaged "Oku-Noto region," the proportion of the population aged 65 and over is around 50%, posing challenges such as how to promote the settlement of younger generations in tandem with recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Ishikawa Prefecture announced on March 8th that the estimated population of the prefecture as of October 1st last year was 1,109,574, a decrease of 8,253 people over the course of the previous year. By age, the proportion of those aged 65 and over was 30.7%, the highest to date, with particularly high figures in the Oku-Noto region affected by the earthquake: 53.2% in Suzu City and 49% in Wajima City.

In response to this situation, Ishikawa Prefecture Governor Chiaki Horikoshi addressed the press on March 8th, stating, "In order to draw and implement a vision for creative reconstruction, we need to listen to various voices, including those of the residents, and create an attractive region that will increase the settled population and attract newcomers."

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