Japanese Cities Compete to Become Nation's Second Capital Amid Decentralization Push

Japan Innovation Party Drives 'Second Capital' Initiative

A significant political and urban planning initiative is underway in Japan as several cities compete for the designation of the nation's second capital. This ambitious project is primarily spearheaded by the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai, with its leader, Hirofumi Yoshimura, who also serves as the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, being a prominent advocate. The JIP's proposal gained traction as a condition for its support of the minority government led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which saw Sanae Takaichi become Prime Minister.

The core motivations behind establishing a second capital are multifaceted. Firstly, it aims to create a crucial disaster backup, ensuring the continuity of government functions should Tokyo be incapacitated by a major natural disaster, such as an earthquake, or a terrorist attack. Secondly, the initiative seeks to address the long-standing issue of overconcentration of political, administrative, and economic power in Tokyo, fostering a more multipolar and decentralized national structure. Proponents also argue that a second capital would stimulate regional economic growth and create multiple engines for Japan's overall development.

Osaka Leads the Bid, Other Cities Present Alternatives

Osaka has emerged as a frontrunner in the race, strongly advocating for its designation as the second capital. The JIP, being Osaka-based, highlights the city's robust infrastructure, including its universities, research centers, bustling business districts, and comprehensive transportation services, notably Kansai International Airport. Osaka's vision includes becoming an official second capital by the 2050s. A key component of the JIP's strategy for Osaka involves the 'Osaka Metropolis Plan,' which proposes merging Osaka City with Osaka Prefecture and establishing special wards, a structure mirroring that of Tokyo. This is seen by the JIP as a prerequisite for a secondary capital, although this plan has faced public resistance, being rejected in referendums in 2015 and 2020.

However, Osaka faces competition from other significant Japanese cities and regions:

• Fukuoka: Mayor Soichiro Takashima and Kitakyushu Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi are jointly promoting the Fukuoka Prefecture region. They emphasize the area's lower risk of simultaneous disaster with Tokyo, particularly concerning the Nankai Trough earthquake, and highlight Kitakyushu's earthquake resistance and renewable energy generation. Fukuoka Governor Seitaro Hattori also supports this regional bid.
• Nagoya: Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa has expressed interest, citing Nagoya's central location, well-developed transportation network, and existing urban infrastructure. Nagoya also points to a reduced risk of being affected by a Tokyo-area disaster. Notably, Nagoya opposes the JIP's condition that only cities with Tokyo-like special ward systems should be considered.
• Other cities such as Niigata and Saitama, along with Kumamoto Prefecture (represented by Governor Takashi Kimura), have also voiced their interest in the project.

Political Maneuvering and Future Outlook

The concept of a second capital has been a subject of discussion for decades, gaining renewed urgency after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake highlighted the vulnerabilities of Tokyo's centralized functions. The JIP is actively pushing for a bill to formalize the establishment of a backup capital to be passed in the current year.

Despite the political momentum, the project faces several challenges. The requirement for establishing special wards, as advocated by the JIP, remains a point of contention among potential candidate cities. Furthermore, the estimated cost of such a relocation is substantial, with figures around 7.5 trillion yen having been discussed historically for partial relocation. There are also concerns regarding the feasibility and desirability of the plan, with some analysts noting that Prime Minister Takaichi appears to have become less enthusiastic about the idea after forming the coalition.