Survey: 12 Local Govts Express Interest in Becoming Secondary Capital, Others Waiting for Further Details

Six prefectural governments and six ordinance-designated cities have shown interest in becoming secondary capitals, according to a survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported. The legislation for secondary capitals was enacted this summer to serve as a backup for the capital's functions in case of a disaster.

The central government plans to provide fiscal support and other measures for secondary capitals, which may prompt more local governments to seek designation. The nationwide survey, covering 98 governments, was conducted in August and received responses by September 11. The legislation aims to reduce Tokyo's excessive concentration by designating secondary capitals in less disaster-prone prefectures.

Criteria for designation include central government branch office locations, economic and population concentration, and the necessary local administrative structure. Multiple cities can be designated as secondary capitals. The central government will announce designation requirements in a Cabinet order in late October and decide on deregulation measures and tax incentives.

Of the 12 local governments expressing interest, only Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City plan to establish special wards, while Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, as well as Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, and Kitakyushu City, have chosen to enter into cooperation pacts. Gunma and Hiroshima prefectural governments, as well as Maebashi and Hiroshima city governments, have not yet decided on their response due to undefined designation requirements.

Seventy-five percent of the 73 local governments surveyed approve of the legislation's objectives of backing up capital functions during disasters and forming a multipolar, decentralized economic zone.