Migration to the urban areas in the early twentieth century in Japan

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H06806
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Geography
• Research Institution: Yokohama National University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Makoto 横浜国立大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (70784651)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-08-26 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 人口移動 / 寄留 / 大正期 / 近代日本 / 女工 / 都市化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I analyzed human migration from mountain villages in Japan in the early twentieth century. I used data from a temporary residence in Gamo Village, called kiryu-todoke in Japanese. Kiryu-todoke records include much significant data, such as migrants’destinations, dates, and attributes.
I found the following facts.Most migrants from Gamo Village went to major cities or areas neighboring Gamo Village. Almost all the migrants from mountain villages were very young and included many unmarried female teenagers. Many had left their homes to work at silk mills in a neighboring town. They intended to stay in the mills’ dormitories, although did not expect to live there permanently. And, many families migrated to big cities. These families intended to permanently move to the city, although they often moved repeatedly once they reached the city. It is thought that these families contributed to the increase in urban population.

Free Research Field

地理学