Japan’s parliament has approved a legal framework to establish a backup capital that would allow the government to continue operating if Tokyo is paralyzed by a major natural disaster such as a powerful earthquake. The legislation, however, has triggered intense political debate between the ruling coalition and opposition parties.
The newly enacted law allows one or more regions to be designated as alternative administrative centers when necessary. These locations could accommodate key government ministries, administrative infrastructure, and emergency services to ensure continuity of state functions during a national crisis.
According to government estimates, there is roughly a 70 percent probability that the Tokyo metropolitan area will be struck by a major earthquake within the next three decades. Such an event could severely disrupt the nation’s political and economic activities, making it essential to establish a backup center capable of maintaining government operations during emergencies.
The initiative also aims to promote regional development by creating new economic hubs outside Tokyo. The government argues that Japan’s economy remains heavily concentrated in the capital, where a large share of the country’s listed companies, businesses, and population are based, underscoring the need for greater decentralization.
Opposition parties, however, have accused the government of advancing the legislation to appease the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party. They argue that the project could channel substantial public investment and tax incentives into a limited number of regions under the guise of establishing an alternative capital.
The government has rejected those claims, emphasizing that the law does not mention Osaka or any other specific city. Instead, it allows any region meeting the prescribed criteria to apply for designation. Among the areas that have already expressed interest are Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Miyagi, and Aichi prefectures.
Political analysts say the bill’s narrow passage in the House of Councillors serves as a warning sign for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration, which continues to face mounting public pressure over inflation, the rising cost of living, and the implementation of its tax-related pledges.
Source: Hindustan Times