Japan's ruling coalition bills secondary capital plan

The Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party have submitted a bill to the House of Representatives that would allow the prime minister to designate a "secondary capital" among prefectures meeting population and economic criteria. The proposal is a flagship policy of the coalition, linked to a broader agenda that includes a reduction of lower‑house seats. The plan envisions a large public‑investment project estimated at about ¥20 trillion, with a water‑related budget exceeding ¥10 trillion, aimed at boosting the Kansai region’s economy.

Centrist Reform Union leaders have called on the ruling party to withdraw both the secondary‑capital bill and the seat‑reduction bill, arguing that proceeding with legislation solely supported by the governing parties would mislead the legislature. They urged a wider parliamentary debate and a vote on the budget committee, but the ruling party’s committee chair indicated the proposals would not be withdrawn at this stage. The seat‑reduction bill has nonetheless entered a special committee for consideration.