過疎化(かそか)

かそか
noun
depopulation; population decline
1. depopulation; population decline
The process of an area becoming less populated, typically in rural areas due to migration to cities.
農村(のうそん)の過疎化(かそか)が進(すす)んでいる。
Depopulation of rural areas is advancing.
過疎化(かそか)対策(たいさく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Countermeasures against depopulation are necessary.
過疎化(かそか)で学校(がっこう)が閉鎖(へいさ)された。
The school was closed due to depopulation.

過疎化(かそか) describes the process of an area losing its population, a major social issue in rural Japan as young people move to cities.

WORD FORMATION:
過疎(かそ) (underpopulation) + 化(か) (-ization). The 化(か) suffix indicates a process of change.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 過疎化(かそか)が進(すす)む: depopulation advances
  • 過疎化(かそか)対策(たいさく): countermeasures against depopulation
  • 過疎化(かそか)に歯止(はど)めをかける: to put a stop to depopulation

RELATED SOCIAL ISSUES:

  • 過疎(かそ)地域(ちいき): depopulated area
  • 少子化(しょうしか): declining birthrate
  • 高齢化(こうれいか): aging population
  • 限界(げんかい)集落(しゅうらく): marginal village (community at risk of disappearing)

CONTRAST:

  • 過密(かみつ): overcrowding, overpopulation (the opposite problem in cities)

Related Words

Antonym: 過密(かみつ) (overcrowding)
Related: 過疎(かそ) (underpopulation)
Related: 少子化(しょうしか) (declining birthrate)
Related: 高齢化(こうれいか) (aging population)
Antonym: 都市化(としか) (urbanization)
general
Added 2026.1.16 12:32 · Revised 2026.4.16 13:18
05000/05242_kasoka