Japan's Country Towns Were Dying, Then COVID Happened

VICE Asia -- Nov 14

Rural Japan has been on a long, steady decline for decades, but the pandemic now has some seriously considering a life outside the cities.

For three straight months, the number of people leaving Tokyo outpaced those moving in—a new trend that could breathe some much-needed life back into Japan’s dying towns.

But in a shrinking country where, in some towns, empty homes can outnumber neighbors, can the country dream become a reality?