Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan says the population of the Oku-Noto region dropped more than 6 percent in the seven-month period after a powerful earthquake struck on New Year’s Day.
Prefectural officials say a total of 2,969 people moved out of four municipalities in the region between New Year’s Day and August 1.
The figure marks a 2.4-fold increase year-on-year, indicating that people are moving to other areas.
A total of 544 people moved into the four municipalities during the same period, only about 60 percent of the level a year earlier.
As of August 1, an estimated 51,698 people were living in the Oku-Noto region. That’s down by 3,515, or 6.4 percent, from January 1.