Japan is set to offer families up to £6,394 per child to leave Tokyo as part of efforts to tackle population concentration in the capital.
The Japanese government believes that creating a better balance between people living in urban and rural areas will improve the economy.
Although it has slightly decreased in recent years, the Tokyo metropolitan area remains very densely populated, with around 37.1 million inhabitants, almost a third of the country’s total population.
A triple increase to the existing 300,000 yen (£1,918) per child for relocating families, the new incentive comes on top of the maximum 3 million yen (£19,188) of basic financial support already available, according to the media.
About 1,300 municipalities participated in the relocation assistance program during the current fiscal year.
To qualify for the payments, families must live in a participating municipality for at least five years while employed.
They will be asked to return the money if they move before the required time.
The latest move comes as Japan also grapples with the challenges posed by an aging population.
Last year, the country’s over-75s made up more than 15% of the population for the first time, according to government data cited by local media.
