Japan establishes criteria for designating secondary capital cities

The Japanese Cabinet has officially approved a cabinet order defining the requirements for designating “secondary capital” regions. This initiative, stemming from the previously passed Secondary Capital Act, is designed as a disaster preparedness measure to ensure the continuity of government functions in the event of a major catastrophe in Tokyo, such as a massive earthquake or a volcanic eruption of Mount Fuji.

To qualify, a candidate region must meet specific economic and demographic thresholds, including a regional GDP of at least 2.1% of the national total and the presence of at least one city containing 1.2% of Japan’s total population. Geographically, candidates must be located outside the immediate impact zones of Tokyo-centric seismic or volcanic activity to avoid simultaneous disaster. Additionally, the region must host at least 14 national government branch offices.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Kihara identified four prefectures that currently meet these criteria: Osaka, Aichi, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido. While Osaka is a leading contender, other regions offer different strategic advantages, such as Fukuoka’s distance from the Kanto seismic zone and Hokkaido’s minimal geological connection to Tokyo’s risks. The system also includes a lower-tier designation for “capital central function alternative areas” to handle limited administrative duties.