'Second-capital' criteria shortlists 4 cities to take over from Tokyo in event of disaster

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi approved an ordinance on the 27th that outlines requirements for becoming a designated secondary capital in the event of a large-scale natural disaster in the Tokyo region, designed to address the overconcentration of population and resources in Tokyo.

Out of all 47 prefectures in Japan, only the cities Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya meet the necessary conditions. All four are making preparations to submit their proposals to the central government.

Prefectures interested in being designated a secondary capital must meet a set of requirements. These include being located outside of emergency response zones in the event of a major earthquake occurring under the capital or within the volcanic disaster warning zone for Mount Fuji.

In addition, a prefecture must have a city that hosts 14 or more regional offices of central government, have a minimum of 1.2% of the nation’s population, and their economy must account for at least 2.1% of the country’s gross domestic product to qualify.