College Students’ Perceptions of and Place Attachment to Rural Areas: Case Study of Japan and China

Abstract

Rural areas are facing increasing challenges including declining populations, advanced aging, and a lack of successors. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of rural areas among Chinese and Japanese university students living in urban areas and analyze the determinants influencing their rural attachment and willingness to reside there. A total of 259 students (126 Japanese students in Chiba and 133 Chinese students in Zhengzhou) were surveyed using the place attachment scale, and asked to describe their past experiences in rural areas. Semantic analysis was employed to further explore issues related to their previous rural visit experiences. The results revealed that students’ place of birth, visiting experience, satisfaction with rural areas, interaction with local people, and convenience of accessing rural areas all influenced their attachment and willingness to move to rural areas. Chinese students expressed greater concerns regarding hygiene issues, while Japanese students were more concerned about safety. This study offers some recommendations: promoting educational resources in rural areas and addressing hygiene issues, such as unclean restrooms, in China. In Japan, the focus should be on continued promotion of rural tourism, providing more education on safe driving and environmental safety for university students, and enhancing more access to rural areas through student transportation discounts.

Perception and Relocation Intentions of Japanese Youth towards Rural Areas: A Case Study of Visitors in Hanyu-shi, Saitama Prefecture

“…Numerous studies suggest that frequent visits to rural areas deepen young people's attachment and willingness to reside there (Buta et al 2012;Riethmuller et al 2021;Davis 2022). However, complex transportation and outdated infrastructure often hinder these opportunities, as reflected in this study (Milbourne and Kitchen 2014;Mao et al 2023). Past research highlights the transportation difficulties faced by young people in China and Japan when traveling to rural areas and advocates for facilitating driver's license examinations for university students to improve their access to rural areas (Mao et al 2022).…”

“…It can be conceptualized within a three-dimensional framework that integrates person, process, and place. Research on young people's place attachment has primarily focused on their attachment to the rural areas where they grew up or their attachment to urban and rural areas after moving to cities (Eacott and Sonn 2006;Rérat 2014;Wiborg 2004;Mao et al 2023). Additionally, in line with national policies and global sustainable development goals, encouraging urban youths to focus on and strengthen their attachment to rural areas is crucial for enhancing the quality of life, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability in these areas (Odagiri 2013;MAFF 2018).…”

“…Preliminary studies on university students in urban areas of Japan have shown a high degree of affection and emotional connection to rural areas, but a low willingness to relocate. Therefore, the specific motivations of these young people to visit and relocate to rural areas need to be understood (Mao et al 2023). Some studies suggest that participation in rural community and agricultural activities can significantly deepen these students' emotional connection and future residency intentions in rural areas (Ida and Fujii 2004;Takuya Tarasaki 2012).…”