Why is Japan Paying Rs 6 Lakh Per Child To Families To Leave Tokyo? Here’s Why

Tokyo: If reports in the media are to be believed, Japan is going to pay families 1 million Yen (₹6 lakh) per child to leave Tokyo this year in an effort to slow the country’s rural areas’ rapid population decline. A family with two kids who moves out of the Tokyo area could get 3 million Yen in support under this new plan.

Under this program, which started in 2019, the government anticipates that 10,000 individuals will have relocated from Tokyo to rural areas by the year 2027. 1184 families received assistance from the government in 2018, compared to 290 in 2020 and 71 in 2019.

According to Time magazine, families can already receive a flat 1 million Yen as compensation for relocation in addition to the support for kids. Households that have lived in the central Tokyo metropolitan region for five years are eligible to apply for support payments.

The cost of the subsidies is between the national government and regional councils. If the families desire to start a business in the community, additional support would also be given in that case.

It’s not as simple as it sounds to get the one million Yen to move to a picture-perfect rural community, though. Families that wish to get assistance must have lived in their new residences for at least five years and have at least one member employed or intending to start a new business. The money must be returned if the tenant vacates the property before five years.

The advantages of Japan’s towns and villages are frequently emphasised in an effort to entice tourists. Having “eligible men” available, like in the instance of Otari village, and having simple access to childcare are two of them.

Japan’s rural areas have experienced a dramatic decline in population in recent years as more young people leave for chances in cities. According to reports, officials are hoping that the alluring sum will entice families to revitalise these areas and relieve demand on space and public services in greater Tokyo.

This is the most recent effort to boost the local economies in the face of yet another decline in Japan’s population and birthrate. The total number of births in 2021 was 811,604, which was the fewest since records began to be kept in 1899.