Japan's City Hall Establishes 'Generation Z Department' in First Attempt... "Desperately Trying to Prevent Youth Outflow"

Kitakyushu City Establishes Japan's First 'Generation Z Department'
One in Three Is Elderly... Focus on Preventing 2030 Outflow

In Japan, where regional extinction has begun due to low birth rates and aging population, the Kitakyushu City Hall, which established the 'Z Generation Division,' is drawing attention. The aim is to implement tailored policies to prevent the outflow of young people leaving for cities and instead increase the incoming population. This unprecedented move in Japan is attracting media interest as a potential new measure against regional extinction.

On the 7th, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Kitakyushu City Hall plans to establish Japan's first 'Z Generation Division' starting next month on the 1st.

Takeuchi Kazuhisa, Mayor of Kitakyushu City, is giving a presentation on Generation Z and new facilities. (Photo by Kitakyushu City YouTube Channel)

The Z Generation Division will focus on supporting those born from the mid-1990s to the 2000s, mainly people in their 20s and 30s. It will consist of four members, including a division chief, and is considering including employees in their 20s. Most importantly, this division will be organized within the Policy Bureau, which is responsible for coordinating important policies across departments. The goal is to avoid situations where the division is named but its policy priorities are sidelined. Although specific policies have not yet been announced, the focus is expected to be on job policies that prevent the outflow of young people and attract 20-30-year-olds from other regions to relocate.

Kitakyushu City has taken these measures because the outflow of the 20-30 age group is severe. Since 1980, the population has been continuously declining, and for over 60 years, the number of people moving out has exceeded those moving in, creating a net outflow. The aging rate, which indicates the proportion of people aged 65 and older in the total population, is already 31%, meaning one in three citizens is elderly. Consequently, a stream of 20-30-year-olds continues to leave for nearby urban centers such as Fukuoka and the capital Tokyo for reasons like employment and marriage.

The decision to establish the division is said to have been strongly influenced by Mayor Takeuchi Kazuhisa, who took office in February last year. Mayor Takeuchi proposed a plan to create momentum for "reactivation for growth" and prepared this year's budget as the second largest ever. Projects related to the 20-30 age group, including the establishment of the Z Generation Division, are classified as "next-generation investment scope," with 11.1 billion yen (98.9 billion won) allocated. This includes policies such as supporting youth startups and making daycare centers free of charge.

Kitakyushu City plans to overcome the net outflow and achieve a net inflow of 1,000 people by 2028 through the establishment of the Z Generation Division. Mayor Takeuchi stated at a press conference, "I want to transform this city into a place that supports young people's challenges, a place where young people gather, and a place where young people want to live."