The Japanese government says the number of people who moved to Tokyo last year exceeded those who left, marking an increase for the third consecutive year.

The Internal Affairs Ministry puts the net population inflow into the Japanese capital at 79,285 in 2024, up 11,000 from the previous year.

Officials say the number of people who arrived stood at 461,454, up 7,321 from the previous year. The figure for those who moved out was 382,169, down 3,679.

Net population increases were particularly evident among younger generations. The net inflow of people aged 20 to 24 rose to 64,070. The figure was 14,286 among those aged from 15 to 19.

Officials said many young people are moving to Tokyo to enter schools and start working, resulting in the continued trend of the excessive population concentration in the capital.

Six other prefectures in Japan saw net population inflows, including three that surround Tokyo -- Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba.

Osaka, Fukuoka and Yamanashi also reported net inflows. Yamanashi experienced a reversal of the trend in 2023, when more people left than arrived.

Forty remaining prefectures saw net population outflows. Hiroshima had the largest outflow with 10,711, followed by Aichi, Hyogo and Shizuoka. Shiga Prefecture saw a reversal of the trend in 2023, when more people arrived in the prefecture than left.

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