JAUE2014-011 Decline and Change of Provincial Cities - Entering into the population onus s

Abstract

In recent years, a skewed population structure is formed in Japan, The trend of population decline and aging society with few children will be accelerated, and Japan will have the "population onus society” soon. This study identifies the current issues of Kitakyushu city in Japan and examines the process of its decline to the current status based on the demographics and use of land.
 This study focused on Yahatahigashi ward of Kitakushu city in Fukuoka prefecture. It is one of the cities that had grown by supporting the iron and coal industry, which was once the central to the economic development of Japan, since the establishment of the Yahata Steel Works, the current Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal. However, in recent years, as the secondary industry in Japan is deteriorating, Yahata city, which had grown as an industrial city, is also deteriorating together with its urban functions. It is faced with population decline, aging society with fewer children, and increase in vacant houses and open spaces. And, Population estimates are examined to project the future in case no measures are taken.