Japan Approves Bill to Establish Secondary Backup Capital

The Government of Japan is moving to establish at least one additional city as a secondary capital to serve as a backup to Tokyo. Japanese lawmakers approved the bill on August 5, 2026, to ensure government continuity in the event of a catastrophic natural disaster. The move follows geological estimates indicating a 70% probability that a magnitude-seven earthquake will strike the Tokyo metropolitan area within the next 30 years.

Beyond disaster preparedness, the initiative aims to mitigate the overconcentration of political and economic power currently centered in Tokyo. To support this transition, the government intends to implement tax incentives and invest in new government facilities and transport links in the selected regions.

Several cities have emerged as primary candidates for the designation, including Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Sapporo.