Japan Passes Bill to Establish Secondary Capital City

The Japanese legislature passed a bill to establish a secondary capital designed to ensure government continuity during natural disasters or emergencies. The move comes as a response to Japan's vulnerability to typhoons and megaquakes, with supporters arguing the initiative will decentralize the population away from Tokyo.

Sanae Takaichi and her cabinet will determine the winning city after establishing a list of requirements in the coming months. Thirteen local governments, including Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Nagoya, are competing for the status to secure urban revival funds, tax breaks, and prestige. Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa has promoted his city's manufacturing capabilities as a primary advantage in the bid.

The proposal faces opposition from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Lawmaker Makiko Kishi described the plan as "half-baked" and "tainted by partisan maneuvering and the pursuit of vested interests." Critics claim the effort is a partisan move to reward the Japan Innovation Party, which has long campaigned for Osaka to become the alternate capital. Some experts further argue that the plan ignores the seismic risks facing the candidate cities and that funds should instead be used to fortify Tokyo's existing defenses.