Chapter 1 Section 2 Land Use Trends in Various Areas

In the situation that land use trends shows an increase in un-utilized or under-utilized land caused by a fall in demand for land resulting from structural changes in socio-economic conditions, such as the decreasing population, and industrial structural transformations, an analysis of land use trends in different areas are as follows: (see Chart 1-2-1).


	Source:	"Basic Survey on Land" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
	Note:	"Vacant land" is land that "has no-particular use" within the category "developed land" and excluding "farm land", "forest" "sites for road development" etc.

1.	Land Use Trends in Large Cities

(Central Areas) In some areas, land use conversions within built up areas have increased as a result of the growing attractiveness of central area habitation together with the supply of good quality, large scale buildings, and conversion from office use into residential properties.

(Suburban Areas) In suburban areas, where a high level of population growth took place in the past, similar levels of growth in demand for developed land are no longer anticipated. (see Chart 1-2-2).

Chart 1-2-2

Trends in the Supply of Developed Lands and the Number of Construction Starts for Residential Properties in Japan

2.	Land Use Trends in Local Cities

(Central Built Up Areas) A hollowing out of the central built up areas of local cities is observed as a result of the slow down in economies which have supported local areas, the restructuring of branch and regional offices by corporations, and an increase in new locations for large scale customer through-put facilities and public facilities in suburban areas. An aging population together with a declining birth rate means that population numbers are falling, leading to the need to revitalize these central built up areas through the introduction of a range of urban facilities within city centers and the promotion of central area habitation. (see Chart 1-2-3).

Chart 1-2-3

Population Trends in the Central Areas of Cities (average)


	Sources:	"Census" by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
	Note:	Average of cities which have a population of not less than 200,000, excluding cities within the three Metropolitan areas and the cabinet-order designated cities

(Farmlands and Forestry)

Abandoned farmland and forests without adequate management arrangements are increasing due to an aging population and a decline in the number of employees in agricultural villages and mountain villages. (see Chart 1-2-4).


	Sources	"Census of Agriculture and Forestry" by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
	Note :	Figures in brackets show "the ratio of abandoned farmland". The "ratio of abandoned farmland" is the area of abandoned farmland in proportion to the sum of the area of operated farmland and the area of abandoned farmland.


	Source:	Survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport