POSITIVE AND THEORETICAL STUDY ON FORMATION AND CHANGE OF REGIONAL SPACE

本研究的目的是重新思考人口稀少地区作为“边缘地区”，并提取这些地区的基本特征，通过积极的区域研究和理论检验的空间理论。在大多数周边地区，人口减少的趋势有所减弱，但那里的问题越来越大，越来越严重。在这种情况下，首席调查员研究了大约10个或更多的案例（山村、前煤矿区和岛屿），在这些案例中，可以看到人口急剧减少和区域衰退。特别是在日本经济不景气的这些日子里，切断对他们的补贴对地区来说是一个严重的问题。在不久的将来，对于区域发展，将需要一些新的前景。

This research aims to rethink of depopulated regions as "peripheral regions" and to extract fundamental characteristics of such regions through both positive regional research and theoretical examination towards spatial theories. At most peripheral regions, trends of depopulation were weakened but problems there were going bigger and more serious. On such situation the head investigator has researched some ten or more cases (mountain villages, former coal mining regions and islands) where drastic depopulation and regional decay can be seen. Especially at these days of economic depression in Japan it is severe problem for the regions to cut off subsidies for them. In the near future, for regional development, some new prospects will be needed.