In response to the nationwide issue of population decline in various regions, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has announced plans to develop a specialized MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) system, assigning unique profiles to each “population decline region.” This innovative approach aims to tailor specific strategies for the 89 areas facing declining populations by creating both quantitative and qualitative statistical indicators.
The proposed “Regional Characteristics MBTI” will categorize regions into 16 types, similar to the personality types in the traditional MBTI. The system will select one characteristic from each of the following four aspects: Population (E/I), Location (N/S), Regional Values (T/F), and Lifestyle (P/J).
Concerning population, it will differentiate between the internal population (Internality) and the incoming population (Externality). Location will be divided based on natural landscape (Nature) and urban infrastructure (Structure). Regional values will be categorized into Tradition and Future, with ‘T’ representing areas rich in traditional elements and ‘F’ focusing on regions prioritizing factors like business attraction. Lifestyle will distinguish between types that align with seasonal characteristics (Temporary) and those unrelated to seasonal features (Journey). For example, a region with a temporary, seasonal event like a festival would be classified as ‘P,’ while a place with cultural heritage attracting tourists year-round would be categorized as ‘J.’
As an illustration, a region displaying a high interest in the incoming population (E), abundant natural resources (N), and a preference for tourism (T) and software investment (P) might be classified as ‘ENTP.’ In such cases, the Ministry, along with local authorities, can develop policies to attract residents by utilizing natural attractions, organizing seasonal festivals, or creating tourism-related products.
The Ministry plans to conduct surveys among local residents and government officials to determine the MBTI for each region. The questionnaire includes 120 questions, such as, “Does our region attract many tourists from outside?” Additionally, the Ministry has collaborated with the Architecture & Urban Research Institute (AURI) to develop a comprehensive indicator for population decline regions, consisting of 78 detailed indicators in the three major sectors: population, space, and socio-economic-administrative.
Local authorities will use these results to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their regions and formulate population decline response plans tailored to their specific circumstances. Kim Min-jae, Deputy Minister of the Ministry, said, “We will spare no effort in supporting the active utilization of analyzed statistical data on population decline regions.”
