Migration and Fertility in Early Modern Northeastern Japan

Satomi Kurosu, Reitaku University
Hao Dong, Peking University
Miyuki Takahashi, Rissho University

This study examines the relationship between fertility and migration in northeastern Japan. Using a rich data set based on population registers (1729-1870) we contrast the patterns and covariates of fertility among migrants and natives in the town of Koriyama. Northeastern Japan suffered a series of famines and crop failures. However, unlike the surrounding villages whose population declined with extremely low fertility, the population of Koriyama continued to grow owing to high volume of migration and relatively high fertility. Female migrants of age 15-24 were particularly abundant due to a population policy that encouraged their recruitment from higher fertility regions. Our multivariate analysis reveals migration effects on fertility as well as fertility responses to famines and short-term economic stress, and how household socioeconomic status and context buffered them.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 56. Approaches to Studying Migration in Historical US and Japan