Osaka Prefecture Pushes for Designation as Japan’s First Sub‑Capital

Japan’s parliament narrowly approved a law creating a “sub‑capital” framework intended to reduce Tokyo’s over‑concentration and provide a backup centre in the event of a major disaster. The legislation passed the upper house by a margin of 123‑121 votes. Immediately after the bill’s enactment, several prefectures announced intentions to apply for the status, including Osaka, Fukuoka and Aichi, with Hokkaido and Miyagi also planning assessments.

Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi, a leading figure of the Japan Innovation Party, said Osaka should be one of multiple sub‑capitals and outlined plans for a referendum on an “Osaka Metropolis” structure that would reorganise Osaka City into special wards. He emphasized that, if designated through an inter‑governmental agreement, Osaka could serve as the appropriate operational hub to back‑up the Tokyo metropolitan area. In a later interview, Yoshimura reaffirmed that the “Osaka Metropolis” model remains suitable for managing a sub‑capital, stressing the need for a unified administrative framework to support national functions outside Tokyo.