Ama Town: New Challenges in the Countryside and Successful Relocation Cases

Articles Published in Akiya Lab | Roopt (Makigumi)

Makigumi, which operates Roopt, constantly researches cases and other information regarding the revitalization of vacant houses and publishes them as columns.

Ama Town is part of the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture, a region with beautiful nature and rich culture floating in the Sea of Japan. The town has a population of 2,223 and an area of 33.44 square kilometers. Ama Town is blessed with abundant seafood and mountain produce, enough to enable a self-sufficient lifestyle, and also has a historical background as the place where Emperor Go-Toba was exiled. Local specialties include "Iwagaki Haruka" (rock oysters) and "Sazae Curry" (turban shell curry), which contribute to the region's industrial promotion.

This small town has a welcoming atmosphere for new residents, particularly characterized by a large number of I-turners in their 20s to 40s, a generation in their prime working years. The town's board of education supports young people seeking to contribute to the community and find personal fulfillment, engaging in activities that leverage local resources such as education, tourism, and industrial promotion.

These young new residents have made it a notable success story for regional revitalization.

Life in Harmony with Nature

Ama Town is abundant in natural blessings, such as spring water selected as one of Japan's 100 best waters and the rich sea nurtured by the Tsushima Current. This self-sufficient environment is attractive to many people and is one of the major reasons for their decision to relocate.

Town Initiatives Attracting Young People

In Ama Town, new residents are actively welcomed as new partners in the community. Over more than 20 years of regional revitalization efforts, various projects leveraging local resources have been developed in education, tourism, industrial promotion, and more. These activities are particularly attractive to young people and the working generation, and the fact that approximately 20% of the island's residents are new arrivals speaks to their success.

Relocation Support System and Contribution to the Region

Ama Town offers concrete support measures for those considering relocation, such as relocation grants and telework support. This reduces pre-relocation anxieties and facilitates a smooth transition to a new life. Furthermore, new residents themselves contribute to the further development of Ama Town by addressing local issues.

Summary

Ama Town is an attractive town with a rich natural environment, initiatives that leverage local resources, and comprehensive support measures for new residents. Here, young people are building new lifestyles while realizing their personal fulfillment and contributing to the community. Ama Town's initiatives are a successful case study that can serve as a reference for other local governments and can be considered a model for expanding the possibilities of regional revitalization.

First published: Akiya Lab (2024 - now integrated into this site)