This paper examines the Chiiki Okoshi Kyōryoku Tai (COKT), a Japanese government programme aimed at inducing counterurbanization and rural revitalization by commissioning people to move from urban...Show moreThis paper examines the Chiiki Okoshi Kyōryoku Tai (COKT), a Japanese government programme aimed at inducing counterurbanization and rural revitalization by commissioning people to move from urban to rural areas to engage in revitalization projects. Utilizing academic literature, government published data and personal reports, the historical context that led to the formation of the COKT is explored, followed by an analysis of the COKT’s potential benefits and problems based on its performance thus far and how it is presented to the public by the government. Although the counterurbanization aspect of the COKT continues to be heavily pushed by government documents, we argue that the actual numbers of participants remains far too low to make a tangible difference. However, linking to more recent literature on kankeijinkō, we argue that the COKT has potential benefits that reach beyond directly inducing counterurbanization, including the promotion of increased mobility and interaction between urban and rural areas.Show less