Japan's Fascination with 'Dekasegi' Takes a Hit

The popularity of 'Dekasegi,' a term describing Japanese who leave their hometowns to work in the city, is reportedly fading in Japan. Traditionally, 'Dekasegi' has been roped in, serving to alleviate labor shortages in the cities and providing income to rural families. However, the current trend seems to be a shift towards valuing local job opportunities and the quality of life in rural areas over urban migration. Reasons for this change could be multifaceted, involving social, economic, and cultural factors.

'Dekasegi' has traditionally been a solution to some of the socio-economic problems Japan faced, providing labor for industries in the city while financially supporting rural areas. Yet, this change in trend reflects a shift in societal values, with a growing emphasis on work-life balance and the quality of life that rural areas can provide over the hubbub of the cities.

Similar trends are observed in the US and EU, where there is a growing trend of urbanites leaving the city for a slower, quieter life in rural areas. This phenomenon, fueled by technological advances that have made remote work viable, is especially pronounced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information for Your Country

For someone outside Japan interested in understanding more about rural-urban migration trends, a resource such as the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) offers comprehensive global data.