{"id":319,"date":"2021-05-20T08:12:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T06:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/userblogs.fu-berlin.de\/urban-rural-migration-japan\/?p=319"},"modified":"2022-07-13T17:18:42","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T15:18:42","slug":"methodological-reflections-participating-in-online-events-for-future-rural-residents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/userblogs.fu-berlin.de\/urban-rural-migration-japan\/2021\/05\/20\/methodological-reflections-participating-in-online-events-for-future-rural-residents\/","title":{"rendered":"Methodological Reflections: Participating in online events for future rural residents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Cornelia Reiher<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Covid-19 pandemic, more Japanese than usual became interested in or actually moved to rural areas [1]. To those interested in relocating to the countryside, several events and fairs provide information about the relocation process, support programs and different areas and municipalities. However, due to the pandemic, many of these events were cancelled or held online. This includes events like the so-called ij\u016b fea<\/em> (relocation fairs) organized by national organizations like the Japan Organization for Internal Migration (JOIN) or the Furusato kaiki shien sent\u0101 (NPO) as well as events organized by prefectures and municipalities. The formats vary from presentations for a larger audience to individual online counselling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Japan\u2019s borders are still closed to foreigners, we cannot do onsite fieldwork in Japan. Therefore, participating in such online events turned out to be a great opportunity to learn more about our research topic and relevant stakeholders and to reflect about (future and digital) access to the field. In April, I participated in an event organized by one prefectural government in Ky\u016bsh\u016b that introduced the Chiiki okoshi ky\u014dryokutai<\/em> (COKT) program. This program was initiated by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (S\u014dmush\u014d) in 2009 and provides municipalities in rural Japan with resources to support people from urban areas to move to their communities and to promote revitalization activities. [2] The event was chaired by an employee from the prefectural office. Two COKT participants from different towns spoke about their experiences and two employees from the municipal halls of the respective towns introduced their municipalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n