The shrinking and ageing of urban populations is a worldwide phenomenon,and in Japan it is a central problem not only for the future but already atpresent. In contrast to the large, dynamic cities of Japan, the mass of smaller citieswith fewer than 200,000 inhabitants – in particular those...

Drastic demographic changes in Japan have forced Japanese municipalitiesto seek ways to prevent further shrinking. One strategy initiated by severaltowns and cities is to attract retirees. Due to recent changes in elderly people’slifestyles, it is not unreasonable to opt for this strategy:...