Free Land in Ibaraki Prefecture
One rural area of Japan is taking an interesting approach to saving itself from population decline and the economic problems that come with it:
The township of Daigo, located in the northwestern corner of Ibaraki Prefecture, is offering farmland for a 20-year rent-free lease to dwellers willing to make their home there. The township has 16 lots of state-provided land, at sizes ranging from 750 square meters to 1,745 square meters.
Potential residents must be under age 65 and willing to live at least 90 days a year on the farmland. Applications will be accepted until Dec 28, and they will be screened next spring. About 600 people showed up for an on-site briefing Nov 23, Daigo officials said, adding that the move is aimed at invigorating the local economy as the local population has been declining, from a peak of 42,000 to around 21,000 now.
