An overview of Japanese urban systems based on an analysis of internal migration in 2010 and regional development policies

Abstract

The primary aim of this paper is to review the regional structure of Japanese urban systems through an analysis of inter-municipality migration (both gross and net migration). This is followed by a review of the viability of the recently-implemented Japanese regional development policies (Renkei-Chusu-Toshiken and Teiju-Jiritsuken), based on the results of the analysis of Japanese urban systems outlined in part one. Owing to the analysis of gross-and net-migration, Japanese urban systems hierarchically consist of Tokyo, regional centers, prefectural capitals and small and medium-sized cities. However, in metropolitan regions and the regions where cities are densely located special hierarchical structure of cities is developed. As there are close relationships of gross migration between neighboring regional centers, the improved Pred-Type structure is recognized as a form hidden under the Christaller-Type hierarchical structure of urban systems. Similarly, it is noticeable that Osaka city has declined remarkably in comparison with the population census of 1980. In Japanese urban systems regional centers and prefectural capitals play the important role of a 'pump' to relocate large numbers of people from the surrounding areas into the Tokyo-metropolitan area. Therefore, even if promoting the development of 61 cities as proposed in Renkei-Chusu-Toshiken will contribute to the formation of a 'dam of population', this could also promote the decline of small and medium-sized cities as well as rural municipalities by increasing absorption of their populations. Therefore, it is necessary to support small and medium-sized cities by implementation of a regional development plan.