User:Desperaux6/sandbox

The high rate of depopulation in Akita Prefecture has led to the merging of smaller communities, which has affected the smallest of the merged communities. As depopulation in these communities and the migration to larger communities continues, educational and health facilities have closed in some areas, leading to the continuation of the migration of families to larger cities for better access to health and educational opportunities. The decline in younger generations has led to concerns for sustaining rural communities facing issues of aging and depopulation.

Recently there have been efforts to revitalize rural communities facing depopulation with different forms of green tourism as well as agritourism.These efforts primarily aim at urbanites and, in some cases, foreign tourists, advertising the pristine forests of Akita prefecture as well as its many intangible cultures and sprawling rice fields. In Akita there has been a push for home stays, farmers' markets for locally produced foods, and the integration of outsiders into local cultural practices. One example of the latter is the Namahage ritual on New Year’s Eve, which draws a large number of tourists to Akita Prefecture every year.

Note: Data in the chart above was taken over the course of five years(2003-2008). The graph shows how many people migrated to Akita City from other prefectures. Overall the net gain of new residents was 4,981 people, or 1.5%.