Tokyo, Oct. 27 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government Tuesday adopted a cabinet order stipulating requirements for designating secondary capitals that would take over Tokyo’s functions in the event of a major disaster. Four prefectures–Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka–meet the requirements under the order adopted at a cabinet meeting. All four can be designated as secondary capitals if they apply to the government after either reorganizing their ordinance-designated cities into special wards or concluding cooperation agreements between the cities and the prefectural governments. The order requires that eligible prefectures have a municipality with at least 14 central government agency offices and a municipality whose population accounts for at least 1.2 pct of the country’s total population. It also stipulates that the prefecture’s economic output as a share of the country’s gross domestic product must be at least 2.1 pct on average over the past three years. Areas projected to be affected by a major earthquake directly beneath Tokyo or an eruption of Mount Fuji are excluded from eligibility to avoid simultaneous damage in those areas and the Tokyo metropolitan area. The four prefectures have expressed their intention to apply to the government for designation as secondary capitals. If designated, the entire prefecture would constitute a secondary capital, where the government would take the lead in implementing measures such as developing bases to serve as alternatives to the capital, promoting urban development, relaxing regulations and encouraging private investment. The government plans to outline a schedule for the next steps, including when applications can be submitted, as early as November. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
