The oldest sedentary settlement was discovered in the southern Kyushu region; it is assumed that seasonal settlement began approximately 11,000 years ago and permanent settlement throughout the year began by approximately 10,000 years ago.
最も古い定住集落が発見されているのが九州南部で、およそ11000年前に季節的な定住が始まり、10000年ほど前に通年の定住も開始されたと推測されている。