Remote working in rural post-growth Japan: a revitalisation solution?

Remote working in rural post-growth Japan: a revitalisation solution?

Political Science

Reuben Bye

2025

Japan’s aging crisis has seen the country’s population shrink by almost 2 million people between 2010 and 2020 (despite increased rates of immigration). Simultaneously, it has experienced a centralisation of its population into large cities. These trends are wreaking havoc on its dwindling rural communities, especially in Hokkaido, Japan’s large but sparsely populated northern island. Recent policy has encourged and incentivised remote work initiatives and growing numbers have been moving to rural areas, which offer significantly lower rents and lifestyle opportunities. Some of Hokkaido’s regional towns and cities are choosing to facilitate long- and short-stay remote workers by investing in local spaces and infrastructure and advertising their local attractions. This study aims to evaluate the role of remote-work in regional revitalisation efforts in Hokkaido and the long-term feasibility of such schemes’ contributions to the continued survival of participating towns and cities in Hokkaido. ​

Kankei jinkou in Hokkaido, Hokkaido regional revitalisation, Hokkaido migration, Hokkaido remote work, Hokkaido telework