A Brave New Demographic World: Depopulation and Examples from Japan

This article examines the implications of demographic decline for local governments, with a focus on small Japanese municipalities that are already navigating the challenges of population loss. Drawing on examples like Yubari, Suzu, and Manazuru, it explores how some towns are rethinking growth-oriented planning and experimenting with alternative development strategies grounded in quality of life, sustainability, and local identity.