Empty streets of Shibuya
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Tokyo Exit Rate Exceeds Entry Rate for the First Time Ever

Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that this past July saw more people moving out of Tokyo than those coming in for the first time.

August 24, 2020

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, this past July saw more people moving out of Tokyo than those coming in. This is the first time in history it has happened since the ministry began taking records in 2013. 

A lone salary man walking an empty street in Tokyo. Crowds have lessened due to COVID-19. Image sourced from https://fstoppers.com/.

The outflow of people was recorded to be 1,459 more people than those entering. This encompasses Tokyo as a whole and the surrounding areas of Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa as well. The largest demographic was those between the ages of 0 to 4 and those in their mid-30s, possibly implying that the majority of those leaving are families with young children.

Shibuya’s famous Crossing during the lockdown of Tokyo in May.

Tokyo saw the largest outflow which totaled 2,522 people. The ministry of internal affairs and communications has stated that more time will be needed to confirm whether this trend is temporary or not. However, compared to last year, the amount of people moving to Tokyo has dropped 16.1%.

Shibuya’s crossing can be as busy as this on the day of Halloween!

Many are pointing towards Corona for the sudden increase in migration. With its cramped space and bustling crowds, Tokyo and the surrounding area has been a hot spot of Corona outbreaks for some time, with over 20,000 confirmed cases. Last July, Governor Koike declared an alert over Tokyo and has encouraged residents to refrain from moving in between prefectures to reduce infections.

Japan Insider

Japan Insider is a Tokyo-based media platform that provides an up-to-date flow of unique news and cultural insights into what’s happening in Japan today.

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