Japan’s Diet Passes ‘Second Capital’ Bill to Ensure Government Continuity in Disasters

Japan’s parliament on Friday passed a ruling bloc-sponsored bill to create a ‘second capital’ as a backup for Tokyo in emergencies such as disasters. The legislation, which clears the way for establishing an alternative government hub, comes as the 2026 main session of the Diet effectively ends. The move is intended to ensure that government functions can continue even if Tokyo is incapacitated by a major earthquake, tsunami, or other catastrophic event. Lawmakers from the ruling coalition argued that the measure is essential for national resilience, while opposition parties raised concerns about cost and implementation. The bill now heads to the next stage of planning, with locations outside Tokyo being considered for the backup capital.

Article source: japantoday.com | Image credit: Kyodo News