Spatial Dynamics of Migration in the Japanese Urban System

Abstract

In this chapter, in order to clarify the origin and destination characteristics of internal migration in Japan, an attempt is taken to elucidate how the Japanese migration patterns changed spatially in the period between 1954 and 1987. The long-term transitional trend of the migration movement at the national level has not been fully examined yet by Japanese geographers. The O-D matrices of 34 years with 46 rows and 46 columns showing the inter-prefectural migration are employed here as the analytical data which are issued by Statistics Bureau, Management and Coordination Agency, Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is excluded from the analysis due to the unavailability of data before 1962. Figure 7.1 shows the study area and the names of prefectures.