Abstract
Japan is experiencing an unprecedented demographic shift to an aging and shrinking society. In 2015, the proportion of people age sixty-five and over was 26.7% of the total population; this figure is predicted to increase to 39.9% by 2060. The population of Japan peaked at 127.8 million people in 2008, and a 31% decline is predicted by 2060. Under such demographic changes, continual outflows of young people and the aging of residents have caused various challenges in rural regions such as abandonment of assets, lack of access to basic services, and loss of traditional knowledge. Shift of regional society to an aging and shrinking population phase requires us to re-examine the meaning of sustainability. This study discusses the meaning of sustainability in the context of rural aging and shrinking communities. A multifunctionality framework is applied as theoretical framework to analyze the past pattern of rural system transition from a macro-scale perspective. A case study of Monogatari workshop was conducted in Akita, Japan. This case study provides a micro-scale perspective regarding how a group of local youths collectively envision the future of their community. The findings suggest that aging and shrinking population has emerged as prominent driver of rural system transition that includes possible marginalizing pathway. Rural areas of Japan are the most typical areas where such transition is taking place. The study empirically argues that the intergenerational interactions and interactive process of placemaking nurture the sense of ownership about local challenges and possible responses to them among the participants.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
PLACEMAKING, AGING, DEPOPULATION, MULTIFUNCTIONALITY FRAMEWORK, RURAL TRANSITION,
