Japan Passes Bill to Establish Second Capital City for Disaster Backup

Japan's House of Representatives has passed a bill to establish a second capital city to serve as a backup administrative center during disasters and emergencies. The legislation aims to ensure continuity of government functions if Tokyo, the current capital, is incapacitated by events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or nuclear accidents. The bill outlines plans to build new government facilities and relocate key ministries to a designated region outside Tokyo. This move is driven by lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the ongoing risk of a major Nankai Trough earthquake. The government will now begin site selection and feasibility studies, with construction expected to take several years.

Global Impact

Politically, the decision reinforces Japan's commitment to disaster resilience and could serve as a model for other seismically active nations. Economically, the project will involve significant public expenditure over many years, with potential multiplier effects on regional economies.