Hokkaido and Osaka sign agreement to pursue sub-capital status

Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki and Osaka Prefecture Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly pursue designation as ‘sub-capitals’ for Japan. This marks the first time two prefectures have entered into such an agreement to work toward this goal.

The initiative aims to establish sub-capitals capable of maintaining essential government functions in the event of a large-scale disaster in the primary capital. The leaders discussed the role of sub-capitals in replacing capital functions and transitioning toward a multi-polar, decentralized economic zone. The two regions are considering making joint appeals to the national government to secure simultaneous designation.