地 方(ちほう)都 市(とし)

ちほうとし

noun

regional city, provincial city

1. regional city, provincial city

A city located outside the major metropolitan areas (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya). Contrasted with large urban centers, these cities serve as regional hubs but are smaller in scale.

地方(ちほう)都市(とし)の人口(じんこう)が減(へ)っている。

The population of regional cities is declining.

地方(ちほう)都市(とし)に移住(いじゅう)する若者(わかもの)が増(ふ)えてきた。

The number of young people moving to regional cities has been increasing.

地方(ちほう)都市(とし)の活性化(かっせいか)は日本(にほん)の大(おお)きな課題(かだい)の一(ひと)つだ。

Revitalizing regional cities is one of Japan's major challenges.

Usage

A common term in discussions about Japanese demographics, economics, and urban planning. Japan's depopulation trend has particularly affected 地方(ちほう)都市(とし), making this a frequent topic in news and policy discussions.

Common collocations

地方(ちほう)都市(とし)の活性化(かっせいか) (revitalization of regional cities)
地方(ちほう)都市(とし)の衰退(すいたい) (decline of regional cities)
中核(ちゅうかく)都市(とし) (core city — a specific administrative category)

Similar words

地方(ちほう): the regions, countryside — broader term for areas outside major cities
大都市(だいとし): large city, metropolis — the opposite end of the scale

Related Words

Antonym: 大都市(だいとし) (large city, metropolis)

general

Added 2026.3.18 8:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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