Japan approves criteria for designating a secondary capital
Only Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka and Fukuoka qualify under the requirements, and all four are preparing proposals for the central government.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government has approved an ordinance setting eligibility criteria for a secondary capital to serve in the event of a major natural disaster in the Kanto region. The measure also aims to reduce the concentration of people and resources in Tokyo.
Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka and Fukuoka are the only qualifying prefectures among Japan’s 47. Each is preparing to submit a proposal to the central government.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters that the criteria were objective and drew on available statistical data and parliamentary discussions. During those deliberations, supporters argued that a secondary capital needed sufficient population and economic scale to carry out its core role as a decentralized economic zone, he said.
