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No one is forcing small towns to stop existing. Young people just don't want to live in them. And yes, I do think they should get fewer facilities because they can't afford them. I'm sure every geriatric town would love a world class cancer treatment center, but they're gonna have to suck it up.

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> Young people just don't want to live in them.

That's why the hometown tax exists. Small towns use their residence tax money to raise children then none goes back in when the young adult moves to Tokyo and pays residence tax there instead of in their hometown.

Schools are funded by the national government in Japan. These families are not a net-loss on the community, as the parents pay taxes and children are a driver of economic activity.

Births are funded by local governments though

Isn't that all covered by the national government and parent?

Contary to the name, Japan National Health Insurance is managed at municipal level.

TIL. Seems like it's a mix between national and municipal funding, but that doesn't really change the overall calculation, as the parents will have most likely paid it back through their own municipal taxes.

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