Japan's Most Graying Village Establishes Sister City Tie with Peru to Combat Population Decline

Nanmoku, the most graying municipality in Japan, has signed a sister city agreement with Belen, Peru, to address a severe labor shortage and population decline. Located in Gunma Prefecture, Nanmoku had a population of 1,337 as of late July, with 65.2 percent of residents aged 65 or older according to the 2020 census. Mayor Saijo Hasegawa, 73, stated that the community may lack enough people to support itself within five years and believes overseas residents are necessary for the village to survive.

The village previously relied on forestry and sericulture, but essential services are now strained. Care workers are in short supply, and many community bus drivers are in their 70s. Before looking abroad, Nanmoku attempted to attract domestic residents by offering vacant homes and entrusting the operation of a nursing home and roadside station to a local nonprofit to allow for flexible hiring. These efforts did not result in a significant increase in newcomers.

The connection to Belen, a city of approximately 80,000 young people near the Amazon River, was facilitated by Masao Aizawa, a Peruvian of Japanese descent living in Gunma. Following online discussions and a visit by Mayor Hasegawa, the two cities agreed to promote tourism, cultural exchanges, and the sharing of knowledge in science and sports. Belen's mayor and several young people are expected to visit Nanmoku this fall.

Nanmoku hopes these exchanges will encourage young Peruvians to work in the village, offering support for online Japanese language study and professional qualifications in elderly care. However, the plan faces hurdles. Some village assembly members have raised concerns regarding public safety and the necessity of foreign workers. Additionally, the specific residence status for potential workers remains unclear. This local struggle reflects a broader national trend in Japan, where a low birthrate has increased the reliance on foreign labor despite growing anti immigrant sentiment.