{
  "id": 11425992,
  "title": "4 prefs. likely eligible for Japan 2nd capital status in draft conditions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/4-prefs-likely-eligible-for-japan-2nd-capital-status-in-draft",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T11:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261002/p2g/00m/0na/044000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Four Japanese prefectures are likely to meet the criteria for designation as a second capital backup region for Tokyo, according to a draft ordinance, government sources revealed on Friday. The conditions, which include population size, disaster exposure, and economic footprint, are expected to narrow down the pool to Hokkaido, Aichi Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, and Fukuoka. All four prefectures have shown interest in the second capital status. They are anticipated to submit their applications for designation, with the government responsible for determining whether to approve the applications. The legislation to establish a second capital as a disaster backup and to encourage decentralization was passed at the end of the special parliamentary session in July. It is a crucial aspect of the ruling coalition agreement between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party. The government aims to promulgate the ordinance later this month after collecting public feedback, with the basic approach to the second capital role to be unveiled in November, and the comprehensive policy likely to be finalized around October of the following year. Eligible prefectures must have a city representing at least 1.2 percent of the national population and be situated in an area that would not be concurrently impacted by disasters like an earthquake directly within Tokyo's metropolitan region or a volcanic eruption at Mt. Fuji. Furthermore, the prefectures are required to have an economic contribution of at least 2.1 percent of the gross domestic product and house at least half of the 28 central government agencies located outside Tokyo. The legislation, originating from the coalition deal signed in October of the previous year between the LDP and the JIP that led to Takaichi's appointment as prime minister later that month, has faced opposition criticism alleging that it favors Osaka, the base of the JIP.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Four Japanese prefectures are likely to be eligible to apply for designation as a \"second capital\" backup region for Tokyo in a draft",
  "key_points": [
    "Criteria include population size, disaster exposure, and economic footprint.",
    "Legislation passed in July as part of ruling coalition agreement."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}