The Relationship between Settlement and Homophily of Perceived Well-being among Permanent Residents and Newcomers

This paper seeks to ascertain the relationship between homophily (in a sense of perceived well-being) and settlement, using a case study of Achi village in Nagano prefecture, Japan based on a 2011 survey and follow-up interviews. Achi village consists of eight areas. One of these areas, Seinaiji, had an increased population projection while the other seven areas showed a decline. In 2011, the Achi Development Public Corporation conducted an intensive questionnaire survey of all households in the village to facilitate the development of local policy regarding village public services, industrial development and so forth. In 2017-2019, interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative data regarding immigrant and settler relations. Principal component analysis was applied to summarize sense of perceived well-being. Three components were extracted. They were 1) importance of a natural environment and a social base, 2) local activities, and 3) economic well-being. Households were divided into four groups by areas (Seinaiji area/ the other areas) and length of residence (short-term; up to 5 years / long-term; 5 years or more) and the average values of the component scores were then cross-compared. Comparing the average component scores among the four groups, three points can be derived. Firstly, newcomers in Seinaiji have similar well-being values to long-term residents, perhaps because of contact with long-term residents prior to migration. Secondly, newcomers in other areas have different well-being values to long-term residents, perhaps because of a lack of contact with long-term residents prior to migration. Thirdly there is a probability communication between residents and newcomers changed the sense of well-being similarly within each of the two groups. This may be conditional upon factors to be ascertained through further research. It is proposed these results hold some implications for rural in-bound settlement policy for newcomers.