Japan's parliament has approved a plan to establish a "second capital" outside of Tokyo. The initiative aims to ensure continuity of government functions during emergencies and promote decentralization.
This move represents a significant effort by Japan to bolster national resilience against disasters and to address the overconcentration of political and economic power in Tokyo, potentially reshaping regional development and the country's future growth.
Japan's parliament has approved a plan to establish a "second capital" outside of Tokyo, aiming to ensure the continuity of government functions during emergencies and promote decentralization. The bill, sponsored by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its ally, the Japan Innovation Party, passed the House of Representatives and was subsequently debated in the House of Councillors.
Prime Minister Sanae Takachi's government sought to enact the legislation during the current parliamentary session, which was extended. However, lawmakers remained divided on the bill, with discussions continuing and opposition parties expressing concerns and threatening no-confidence motions. Despite the divisions, the plan was ultimately approved on Friday.
Proponents argue that the secondary capital will contribute to geographically dispersed national development and regional revitalization efforts. The initiative is seen as an ambitious attempt to loosen the political and economic grip of the Tokyo metropolis.