"Come Live with Us!": Depopulated Nagasaki Offers Recreational Vehicles
Man's necessity is God's opportunity - well said. Japan's Nagasaki Prefecture needs more people to move in, and an idea flashed as if God saw it fit. "Why not tour in a recreational vehicle (also called "camping car" in Japan) to find your favorite place to live in Nagasaki?"
It certainly is a cool approach to invite people to come and live in Nagasaki. The idea was implemented on August 1 this year and so far four families from Tokyo, Saitama and Fukuoka have utilized the service and one has decided to move into Nagasaki.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Nagasaki's population as of January 1 this year was 1,405,133, 11,717 less than the previous year or an decrease of 0.83% way above the national average (0.21%). By local municipalities, depopulation, or "outs" exceeding "ins", is 1,267 for Nagasaki City and 1,256 for Sasebo City, another major city in Nagasaki, the nation's worst 5 and 6, respectively - hence this unique idea of lending recreational vehicles for would-be citizens of Nagasaki.
Applicants are to make reservations at the prefecture-appointed rent-a-car companies and pick one(s) from 180 options prepared by the prefectural government. The rental charge is 8000 yen per day for up to 7days, adjustable by the number of options picked down to 3000 yen per day.
The recreational vehicle for rent is "Indy 727" for four remodeled from a light van with a folding bed up on the ceiling, a sink with shower and an electric pot.
The magazine "AutoCamper" points out that the plan affords applicants a chance to look for places to live while having fun driving, studying traffic situation in each locality and getting to know local people. The magazine evaluates the idea versatile enough to ripple into other local municipalities.
