Gifu Prefecture in the Tosando of the Goki-Shichido and Regional Variations: Mino vs. Hida Provinces

Abstract

Of all the 47 prefectures, the projected population increase rate of Gifu Prefecture in 2045 ranks 29th (−23.4%), slightly below the middle, as opposed to the national average (−16.3%). However, we notice a wide range of regional variations among 42 municipalities within Gifu Prefecture. More specifically, it ranges from the highest, Mizuho-shi (2.3%) to the lowest, Shirakawa-cho (−59.0%). Interestingly enough, two municipalities, the second highest, Minokamo-shi (−4.6%) and the lowest of Shirakawa-cho are located in the same Chuno area of the Mino region of ancient Mino Province. When we examined regional variations on municipal powers, it looks as if the Hida region today seems to be lag slightly behind the Mino region. It would be because four municipalities in the Hida region are located in the northern mountainous area of the prefecture. Whereas Mino Province, being located in almost the center of Japan, was strategically important place connecting Togoku (the Eastern Japan) and Kinai. Modern Gifu Prefecture was created in 1876 through the merger of Hida and Mino provinces, which correspond roughly to the northern and southern portions of the prefecture. The area has long been of strategic importance as a link between eastern and western Honshu as well as between the Pacific and the Sea of Japan coasts. Thus, there seems a little noticeable pattern of difference in municipal powers between the Hida and Mino regions in present-day Gifu Prefecture. Although the population of Shirakawa-cho today and the future looks like a devastating situation there are outstanding municipal powers to be noted in two areas. They are the smart forestry, and ICT education in public primary and secondary schools. Let us introduce briefly these municipal powers of Shirakawa-cho. In collaboration with Gifu Academy of Forest Science and Culture in Mino-shi Shirakawa-cho is conducting a demonstration experiment to see if the town where nearly its 90% of the area is covered with forest, can proceed with various forest maintenance unmanned in the form of “smart forestry.” The introduction of ICT facilities in the primary education in 2015 in Shirakawa-cho benefitted in numerous ways of pupils, students, faculty, and staff not merely on their ICT skills, but also various aspects of their lives. This is the very reason why primary schools in a remote rural town of Shirakawa is evaluated highly on computerization in education. Making the best use of these two municipal powers Shirakawa-cho will never disappear, but here to stay.