Japan adopts framework for four potential secondary capitals
Japan could outline an application timetable as early as November for prefectures seeking to take over Tokyo’s functions in a major disaster.
- The framework's purpose is to designate secondary capitals that can take over Tokyo's functions in the event of a major disaster.
- Four prefectures are eligible to apply for the designation: Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
- To qualify, prefectures must meet specific economic, population, and infrastructure criteria, and be located outside of disaster zones that could simultaneously affect Tokyo.
- The national government will support designated prefectures by encouraging private investment, easing regulations, and promoting urban development to build them up as alternative bases.
Four Japanese prefectures intend to seek secondary capital status under an order adopted at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (October 27).
Their role, if designated, would be to take over Tokyo’s functions in a major disaster.
The eligible prefectures are Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka and Fukuoka.
The government intends to set out a schedule as early as November covering the next stages and the timing of applications.
Before an application can be made to the national government, cooperation agreements must be concluded between the prefectural governments and their ordinance-designated cities, or those cities must be reorganised into special wards.
The economic test requires a prefecture’s output to represent at least 2.1% of Japan’s gross domestic product on average over the past three years.
It must also have a municipality with at least 1.2% of the national population and a municipality housing at least 14 central government agency offices.
Areas expected to be affected by a major earthquake directly beneath Tokyo or an eruption of Mount Fuji cannot qualify.
This restriction is intended to prevent those areas and the Tokyo metropolitan area from suffering damage simultaneously.
Secondary capital status would extend to the entire prefecture.
The national government would lead measures to encourage private investment, ease regulations, promote urban development and develop bases to serve as alternatives to the capital.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
