Yamaguchi Prefecture Along the Sannyodo of the Goki-Shichido and Regional Variations

The proximity[aut]Kumagai, F. to the KoreanGoki-Shichido peninsula andSannyodo its strategic location betweenRegional variations western HonshuHonshu and KyushuKyushu led to the early development of Yamaguchi PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture. After 645 it was divided into the two provinces of SuoSuo and NagatoNagato, which flourished under the rule of the OUCHI clan and later the MOURIMOURI clan, and played a leading role in the Meiji RestorationMeiji Restoration. The population of Yamaguchi PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture hit its peak in 1985 (1.6 million) and has been declining continuously to 1.3 million by 2022. Furthermore, it is projected to decline to 1.04 million by 2045, which means its population increase ratesPopulation increase rate from 2015 to 2045 will be −22.8% as opposed to the expected national average of −16.3%. The impact of marriage power (X) on thePopulation-sustaining power population-sustaining power (Y) for 19 municipalities in Yamaguchi PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture in 2013 is proved to be significant (Y = −3.742 + 0.674X, variance explained R2 = 0.833, p = 0.000). However, it is puzzling that both the highest and the lowest in a population-increasing municipality with high marriage powerMarriage power of Kudamatsu-shi and Waki-choWaki-cho, and an acutely population-declining municipality with extremely low in marriage power of Kaminoseki-choKaminoseki-cho are located in the same ancient Suo ProvinceSuo Province. As Kaminoseki-cho is located in a different area of the ancient SuoSuo Province from the other two municipalities (Chubu vs. Tobu) there must be unique municipal powerMunicipal power to each of these municipalities. The population increase of Kudamatsu-shiKudamatsu-shi (2015: 55,000 to 2020: 57,000), the smallest of 13 cities in Yamaguchi PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture, is due primarily to the social population increase from the neighboring municipalities. The city has rapidly converted farmland into residential land, and increased the concentration of commercial facilities. In addition, water rates are inexpensive, owing to the city’s topography sloping down to the sea and two dams providing an abundant amount of water. These livable environments of Kudamatsu-shiKudamatsu-shi contributed to attracting people to settle there. Although the total population of Waki-choWaki-cho is recently on a declining trend the so-called “child-rearing generation” in their late 20s and early 30s is moving into the town. The major reason for attracting the child-rearing generation to Waki-choWaki-cho would be “Waki GakuenWaki Gakuen,” a town-wide school concept of lifelong learning. The population of Kaminoseki-choKaminoseki-cho has been declining at an alarming rate. However, Kaminoseki-cho has attractive municipal powersMunicipal power, such as Kanmai, Donden FestivalKanmai Donden Festival, and Shinmei FestivalShinmei Festival. The town officials aim to resolve population issues by resuming the construction of a long-standing nuclear power plantNuclear power plant project and an interim spent nuclear fuel storage facility. It is urgently suggested that Kaminoseki-choKaminoseki-cho consider alternative measures. First, develop active measures to increase the “Kankei jinkoKankei jinko,” second, make active use of the workforce of the Local Vitalization CooperationLocal Vitalization Cooperation program, and third, promote the sixth sector industrySixth sector industry (rokuji sangyo) by using local ingredients through the direct sales office, and sell online as well. These measures would definitely contribute to the welfare of the current residents in Kaminoseki-choKaminoseki-cho, and will facilitate the town’s population sustenance.