r/japan • u/SkyInJapan • 3d ago
4 prefs. likely eligible for Japan 2nd capital status in draft conditions
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261002/p2g/00m/0na/044000cTOKYO (Kyodo) -- Four Japanese prefectures are likely to be eligible to apply for designation as a "second capital" backup region for Tokyo in a draft ordinance that follows enactment of legislation to create the status earlier this year, government sources said Friday.
The conditions, including population size of their cities and exposure to disasters affecting Tokyo, would likely limit candidates to Hokkaido in the north, Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, the western economic hub of Osaka Prefecture and Fukuoka in the southwest.
All four have expressed interest in second capital status. They are expected to apply for designation, with the government to decide whether to approve the applications from the prefectures.
The legislation to create a second capital as a backup for Tokyo in disasters and to promote decentralization was enacted at the close of the special parliamentary session in July. It is a key pillar of the ruling coalition agreement between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party.
The government plans to promulgate the ordinance later this month after soliciting public comments, the sources said. The government is expected to announce its basic approach to the second capital role in November, with basic policy to be compiled by around October next year.
According to the sources, eligible prefectures will need to have a city accounting for 1.2 percent or more of the national population and be located in an area that would not be simultaneously affected along with Tokyo by disasters such as an earthquake directly under the capital region or an eruption of Mt. Fuji.
The prefectures would also be required to have an economic footprint of at least 2.1 percent of gross domestic product, and host at least half of the 28 types of central government agencies located outside Tokyo, the sources said.
The legislation, which stems from the coalition deal signed in October last year between the LDP and the JIP that helped Takaichi become prime minister later the same month, has drawn opposition criticism claiming it favors Osaka, where the JIP is based.
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u/SkyInJapan 3d ago
TL;DR The four are: Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka and Fukuoka.
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u/tokyoevenings 2d ago
It should be Sapporo or Fukuoka . Osaka is on the same fault line , Aichi clearly can’t run shit after the Asian Games. Fukuoka is a genuine , excellent global city with great access. Choosing it will help the contagion of reestablish Kyushus significance. Already lots of major companies are opening huge offices there.
Sapporo would be great but it’s a couple of decades behind the Fukuoka / Kyushu evolution . But maybe something like this will shake it up and continue to push Hokkaido forwards. But the lack of Shinkansen is a major issue
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u/certnneed 2d ago
And with the way temperatures are trending, Hokkaido will soon be a tropical paradise!
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u/imaginary_num6er 3d ago
I thought Osaka was the only option since the law was worded so that only Osaka and not Kyoto or Aichi could be eligible through the requirements.
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u/extopico 3d ago
Osaka will get this if anyone does due to politics. They demanded the creation of this ordinance. However they are also the least suitable. They are exposed to the same natural disasters as Tokyo and are not self sustainable in case a disaster happens.
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u/tsurumai 3d ago
I may be biased but Aichi is perfect for this. It’s smack dab in the middle and has way less natural disasters in my opinion.
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u/Pitiful_Addendum_644 3d ago
Going to be Osaka if anything comes to it. That’s been a long term policy goal of JIP since their founding
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u/vava2603 3d ago
we all know the choice will be Osaka as the criteria is political and not what is best for Japan
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u/TimeCrisisfan 3d ago
Live in Osaka, and it will absolutely be Osaka due to politics, but I kinda wish it would be Sapporo or something just to shake things up. Would love to see more development in Hokkaido
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u/warpedspockclone [宮城県] 2d ago
If they pick Hokkaido, can they hurry up with the shinkansen line to Sapporo, then?
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u/just-another-sapien 3d ago
Fukuoka being furthest away from Tokyo makes the most sense amongst the options
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u/extopico 3d ago
Indeed. The bid is a joint Fukuoka-Kitakyushu bid. It is the only secondary capital that meets the requirements. It has the required infrastructure, Kyushu is energy independent, grows its own food, and like Hokkaido is exposed to entirely different natural disasters, and fewer of them. Also unlike Hokkaido it is inhabitable year round and already has people living there.
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u/Pendejo2 2d ago
Should make Mito Ibaraki the 2nd capital. It is the natto capital of japan already 👍
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u/MedicalSchoolStudent 2d ago
Honestly it’ll be Osaka due to politics.
And I would also say history too. Kyoto being so close to Osaka is another reason.
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u/minfremi [アメリカ] 3d ago
Isn’t Kyoto technically the actual capital? That’s where the real imperial palace is. The Emperor is just on a 150 year long vacation at a place that is known as Tokyo (東京: east capital) today.
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u/Camiax 3d ago
Although not directly measured for this decision, Osaka has by far the most consulates in Japan, so de facto it is by foreign governments already seen as the main hub for western Japan or the second most important city. By extension, any crisis to Tokyo would mean diplomatic or consular functions would be mostly coordinated from Osaka.
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u/Silaene 3d ago
It is supposed to be a back up and is on the same faultline, a single major seismic incident could take out both, completely defeating the whole purpose.
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u/Camiax 3d ago
There are more natural disasters than a mega earthquake, and in practice this isn't about building a true "bunker capital" but rather decentralize more from Tokyo heavily pushed by Osaka, which already is the main secondary city for all intents and purposes. Giving a legal pathway and infrastructure to move more functions there is just rational.
Fukuoka and Sapporo would be great if purely looking at it as an evacuation destination indeed however, and would be better served by designations treating it as such.
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u/Seraphelia 3d ago
Fukuoka is relatively safe from natural disasters I would say, based on no evidence at all just vibes.
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u/Choose_a_username143 2d ago
I would like to nominate Kobe. I've been here for about a month and so far it's been cute /obvious joke
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u/brevity142 2d ago
You have to watch the interview with Kyoto mayor regarding this matter. It is hilarious.
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u/Olli399 [イギリス] 3d ago
Would it not make sense to have the 2nd Capital of the country be the city who's name directly translates to Capital Capital?
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u/sylentshooter 3d ago
No? Because that city is tiny in comparison, isn't an economic hub, and doesn't have the infrastructure for it.
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u/Olli399 [イギリス] 3d ago
a) Joke
b)If you actually wanted to make that argument genuinely, I think Kyoto could probably manage if they absolutely needed to. The Administrative capital of lots of countries is small compared to the main/primary city or defacto capital. The Netherlands, Brazil, Australia etc. Even South Korea stuck everything in Sejong, their literal neighbour.
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u/sylentshooter 3d ago
Every country you suggested doesn't have the population of Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan government itself employs 16000 people in its main government office.
The central government employs 47000 people in Tokyo alone.
There is not the infrastructure to move and support all those government employees to Kyoto if they need too. Nor does Kyoto have the physical space for it if they even tried
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u/Hitohira 3d ago
Throw some love to Sendai. I know Tohoku could use some people to move here and starting revitalizing the region. Yes, I'm aware that probably wouldn't happen because Japanese people and foreigners avoid Tohoku like the plague.
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u/Silaene 3d ago
While this is all probably a foregone conclusion due to backroom politics despite it objectively failing the natural disaster requirement, it will be Osaka. Objectively, I think it should be Sapporo, completely separate tectonic plates/fault lines, significantly further away from Tokyo, opposite coastal side of the nation, colder climate as such better long term climate vs global warming, a lot less natural disasters than the majority of the country, land and labour is cheaper, will bring in needed jobs and the island could be self sufficient food wise.