In 2023, all five ordinance-designated cities compared here recorded net in-migration, with Yokohama posting the largest absolute gain at 9,731 people. Relative to population, however, Saitama City was highest at 0.58%, followed by Chiba City at 0.52%. We correct the ranking and separate the two ways of viewing migration: absolute numbers and population-adjusted rates.
In-migration, out-migration, and net migration in 6 major Kanto cities (2023)
| Rank by net migration | City | In-migrants | Out-migrants | Net migration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference | Tokyo special wards | 703,015 | 649,116 | +53,899 |
| 1 | Yokohama | 195,455 | 185,724 | +9,731 |
| 2 | Saitama City | 77,210 | 69,579 | +7,631 |
| 3 | Kawasaki | 96,821 | 91,346 | +5,475 |
| 4 | Chiba City | 52,283 | 47,195 | +5,088 |
| 5 | Sagamihara | 32,014 | 29,693 | +2,321 |
Yokohama recorded 195,455 in-migrants and 185,724 out-migrants, for net in-migration of 9,731—the largest absolute gain among the five ordinance-designated cities.
Absolute numbers vs. population-adjusted rates: the picture changes
| City | Total population | Net migration | Net migration as share of population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saitama City | 1,324,025 | +7,631 | 0.58% |
| Kawasaki | 1,538,262 | +5,475 | 0.36% |
| Chiba City | 974,951 | +5,088 | 0.52% |
| Yokohama | 3,777,491 | +9,731 | 0.26% |
| Sagamihara | 725,493 | +2,321 | 0.32% |
Yokohama ranks first by headcount; Saitama City ranks first relative to population
Net in-migration was 9,731 in Yokohama, 7,631 in Saitama City, 5,475 in Kawasaki, 5,088 in Chiba City, and 2,321 in Sagamihara. For reference, Tokyo's 23 wards recorded 53,899—an entirely different scale.
Relative to population, the order is Saitama City at 0.58%, Chiba City 0.52%, Kawasaki 0.36%, Sagamihara 0.32%, and Yokohama 0.26%. Because larger cities tend to produce larger absolute flows, the population-adjusted rate is useful when comparing momentum.
Yokohama's scale, family attraction in Saitama and Chiba, and Kawasaki's proximity to Tokyo
Yokohama is a huge city of about 3.78 million people, so both in-migration and out-migration are large and its net inflow is also the highest. Urawa and Omiya in Saitama City, and Makuhari and neighborhoods along the Sobu and Keiyo lines in Chiba City, absorb families moving outward as housing costs in Tokyo rise.
Kawasaki has particularly strong access to Tokyo, including Musashi-Kosugi, while Hashimoto and Sagami-Ono act as receiving areas in Sagamihara. Even a city with net in-migration can lose total population if natural decrease is large, so this table alone does not determine future population growth or decline.
How to read these figures
Population and labor statistics are available only for specific reference years and may not reflect later economic conditions or changes in employment.
The article is organized primarily around published statistical figures. Numerical values directly observable in the statistical tables should be distinguished from interpretations of background factors.
Summary: Different cities lead depending on whether migration is measured by headcount or population share
Yokohama ranks first in net in-migration by absolute number, while Saitama City ranks first relative to population. In-migration can indicate housing and transport appeal, but population maintenance also depends on natural change through births and deaths.
- Yokohama: +9,731, highest among the designated cities
- Saitama City: +7,631, equal to 0.58% of population
- Chiba City: 0.52% of population
- All five designated cities had net in-migration, but their future population trends still differ
Source: Published statistics listed in the Analysis notes at the end of this article
📊 Analysis notes
This article is based on the following statistical data.
- Statistics used: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Social and Demographic Statistics System (Population and Households) (Table ID: 0000020101, view on e-Stat)
- Area: Six major Kanto cities / Kanto region
- Year: 2023
- Data retrieved: June 6, 2026
- Notes: The article is organized primarily around figures from published statistics. Because population composition, employment practices, and other factors outside the article also matter, numerical values directly observable in the statistical tables should be distinguished from interpretation.
Chart and table values have been independently aggregated and visualized from the statistical data above.
Table values have been organized from the statistical data above.