Nanmoku, Japan, seeks young Peruvian residents to combat population decline

The Japanese village of Nanmoku, located in Gunma Prefecture, has established a sister-city agreement with Belén, a district in Iquitos, Peru, in an effort to combat a severe demographic crisis. With a population of approximately 1,300, Nanmoku faces the risk of disappearing as roughly 70% of its residents are aged 65 or older. The village experiences approximately 60 deaths annually compared to only two or three births, a trend that threatens the continuity of essential services like public transportation.

As part of the initiative, the mayor of Belén, Lina Arista López, and two Peruvian students recently visited Nanmoku to foster cultural and personal ties. The students expressed interest in the possibility of living in the village to seek more prosperous futures, though the specific legal mechanisms for obtaining residency remain unclear. Nanmoku Mayor Saijo Hasegawa stated that the community must expand its horizons and attract more residents, including foreigners, to ensure the town's survival.