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Why is Japan planning a backup capital?

2026-08-27 23:50:47Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Why is Japan planning a backup capital?
Tokyo

The Japanese government wants to create a kind of second capital, that is, to choose a city where the government can continue to function in the event that Tokyo is hit by a natural disaster or other emergency situation.

The project provides fiscal incentives and investments for the selected city and is likely to bring in more workers and tourists. For this reason, about ten candidacies have already been submitted.

Under a law passed by parliament on July 24, the decision will be made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. This status can be granted to a city, but also to one of the country's 47 prefectures.

Among the main cities aiming to become the "second capital" is Osaka, Japan's third most populous city and historically one of the country's most important economic centers.

Why is Japan planning a backup capital?
Tokyo

Also in the running are cities such as Fukuoka, Sapporo and Nagoya, as well as several prefectures, including Aichi, Hokkaido, Hiroshima and Gunma, a mountainous and relatively less wealthy region near Tokyo.

Politicians leading candidate cities and prefectures are promoting their candidacy in various ways.

For example, Gunma Prefecture Governor Ichita Yamamoto has repeatedly emphasized that the region is less exposed to natural disasters and, being close to Tokyo, would still allow for quick access to the capital area.

Others, such as the governor of Aichi Prefecture and the mayor of Osaka, have emphasized mainly the economic importance of their territories for the country.

Why is Japan planning a backup capital?
Osaka

The criteria for becoming the second capital are still unclear and are expected to be determined more precisely after October, when the law approved in July will enter into force.

So far, the government has only set some general requirements, including a certain number of residents and a certain level of economic activity.

The candidate must also be far enough away from Tokyo so as not to be hit by the same natural disaster that could affect the capital.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and floods are common in Japan. The country lies along one of the world's most active seismic zones, which geologists call the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire."

It is a line about 40 thousand kilometers long, starting from New Zealand, ascending towards the north of Japan, continuing to the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka and reaching the northern tip of the American continent, following the entire length of the Pacific coast.

Some of the most powerful earthquakes in recent decades have occurred along this line. In 2011, Japan was hit by an extremely powerful earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.1.

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami killed more than 20,000 people, and the Fukushima nuclear power plant was severely damaged.

The epicenter was 370 kilometers from Tokyo. The Japanese government estimates that there is a 70 percent chance that an earthquake with a magnitude of over 7 will hit Tokyo within the next 30 years.

The idea of ​​having a second capital has been discussed in Japan for decades, not only because of possible emergencies, but also because this would help, at least partially, reduce the demographic pressure on Tokyo.

From 1960 to 2025, Tokyo's population grew from 9.6 million to 14.2 million. A second capital would allow for a better distribution of some government functions and would boost the economic development of another city or prefecture.

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