The old-age dependency ratio usually shows a more dramatic picture of population ageing. Some centrally located prefectures such as Tokyo,Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka, etc., represent low scores on this index, whereas, some other prefectures distant from the central area and noted for their traditionally agriculture-oriented background, tend to show higher old-age dependency ratios. Shimane Prefecture is a notable example, exhibiting the highest score in the percentage aged and old-age dependency ratio. Shimane's old-age dependency ratio is 36.8, higher than the national average (21.4) by 15.4 percent points and higher than Saitama (14.1) by 22.7 percent points, the prefecture of the lowest ratio. Elderly/children ratio is another indicator of population ageing by which Shimane far excels those metropolitan prefectures. For Shimane, the score is astounding 142.4 percent and, interestingly enough, this more than doubles the score for Saltama, that is only 71.1 percent.

The situation of population ageing in prefectures is more complex than that in Japan as a whole because the local places are affected more heavily by in- and out-migration. Indeed, prefectures with higher ageing scores are the ones characterized by heavy out-migration and prefectures with rela-

Table 8. Population Composition by Major Age Groups,Dependency Ratios and Elderly-Children Ratios: 1995 (percent)

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