Why Japan Is Creating a ‘Second Capital City’

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A recent proposal means that Japan is considering designating a second capital city to ensure the functioning of government in the event of a major disaster. So in this video we’ll explain why this could cause some political headaches in Tokyo and beyond.

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Sources:

Tokyo’s population:
https://www.toukei.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jsuikei/js-index.htm 
https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/undesa_pd_2025_wup2025_summary_of_results.pdf 
https://www.rgs.org/schools/resources-for-schools/is-tokyo-too-big 

Tokyo’s business concentration:
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/companies/japan-staffing-group-pulls-hq-functions-out-of-tokyo-to-an-island 

Tokyo’s population growth:
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16328521 

Tokyo as a disaster-prone city:
https://geographical.co.uk/news/the-worlds-most-disaster-prone-cities 

Nankai megaquake risk:
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1669474?display=1 

2011 earthquake/tsunami:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami 

LDP-Ishin coalition deal:
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16103056 

Government introduces second capital bill:
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260624/p2g/00m/0na/055000c 

Ishin’s Osaka metropolis plan:
https://en.jlgc.org.uk/latest/double-the-capitals-double-the-ambition/ 

LDP and Ishin agree revisions to bill:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/01/japan/politics/ldp-jip-secondary-capital-plan/ 

Other cities wanting to be second capital:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/09/japan/politics/back-up-capital-cities/

00:00 Why Japan Is Creating a ‘Second Capital City’
07:34 Protecting the Planet

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