Four prefectures meet the requirements; government decides to designate them as “sub-capitals”

At a cabinet meeting on the 27th, the government adopted a government ordinance that includes the requirements for designation of a deputy capital, based on laws related to the ``deputy capital'' concept, which replaces the function of the capital in the event of a large-scale disaster. The four prefectures that meet the requirements are Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka. All four prefectures can be designated as deputy capitals if designated cities are reorganized into special wards, or if designated cities and prefectures sign a partnership agreement and apply to the national government.

Request to the State Minister regarding Gunma as a “backup base” and “deputy capital” – Governor Yamamoto

The ordinance requires that (1) there be a municipality where 14 or more national offices have been established, (2) there be a municipality with a population of at least 1.2% of the total domestic population, and (3) the economic size of the prefecture must be at least 2.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) on average over the past three years. In order to avoid simultaneous damage to the Tokyo area, areas expected to be damaged by an earthquake directly hitting the Tokyo metropolitan area or by the eruption of Mt. Fuji will not be covered.

All four prefectures have indicated their intention to apply to the national government, and if they receive the designation, the entire prefecture will become a sub-capital. In the sub-capital, measures such as the development of a base to replace the capital's functions, promotion of town development, deregulation, and promotion of private investment will be implemented under the initiative of the government.