Japan keeps the entire island of Hokkaido running for too few people.[1]  The population is dropping rapidly.  Most infrastructure is funded nationally, and the rest of the country pays for Hokkaido.  Partly because it&#x27;s only about 12 miles from Russia at the closest point, and Japan doesn&#x27;t want Russia moving in.<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nippon.com&#x2F;en&#x2F;in-depth&#x2F;a03802&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nippon.com&#x2F;en&#x2F;in-depth&#x2F;a03802&#x2F;</a>