Japanese government offers families 1m yen per child to leave Tokyo

[Still Waters]

Japan’s government is offering ¥1m ($7,500) per child to families who move out of greater Tokyo, in an attempt to reverse population decline in the regions.

The incentive – a dramatic rise from the previous relocation fee of ¥300,000 – will be introduced in April, according to Japanese media reports, as part of an official push to breathe life into declining towns and villages.

Although Tokyo’s population fell for the first time last year– a trend partly attributed to the coronavirus pandemic – policymakers believe more should be done to lower the city’s population density and encourage people to start new lives in “unfashionable” parts of the country that have been hit by ageing, shrinking populations and the migration of younger people to Tokyo, Osaka and other big cities.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/million-yen-per-child-to-leave-tokyo-japans-offer-to-families

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/03/japanese-families-reportedly-set-to-receive-1-million-yen-per-child-for-moving-out-of-tokyo.html

[Orphalesion]

7500 bucks to relocate to a newplace, especially a place that's declining? But that's basically nothing!

[acute]

As I don't live in a major Japanese city, can I apply for my £7K?

[+OverSword]

Some of those underpopulated villages in Japan are truly beautiful.  The reason nobody lives in them is lack of jobs.  If one could work remotely then it may be ideal.

  

2 hours ago, Orphalesion said:

7500 bucks to relocate to a newplace, especially a place that's declining? But that's basically nothing!

Per child.  So if you could work remotely and have that much extra cash to feed and clothe your kid....?  And property has got to be cheaper than the city.

Edited January 3 by OverSword

[Myles]

15 hours ago, Orphalesion said:

7500 bucks to relocate to a newplace, especially a place that's declining? But that's basically nothing!

It depends on the persons situation.  If they were thinking of getting out of the city then this may be enough to push them.