The race to become Japan's 'second capital' is intensifying as numerous regions nationwide strive to become administrative centers supporting Tokyo. However, the newly enacted law lacks specific provisions on the requirements for becoming an alternative administrative hub, sparking debates over the transparency of the selection process.
According to reports, a previously passed law paved the way for establishing a 'second capital', aiming to reduce Tokyo's burden as the nation's administrative and political center. Yet, the current legal text only states that government agencies may be relocated to one or more other sites, without specifying criteria for what constitutes a suitable candidate or the operational model for the new center.
Many prefectures and cities have quickly expressed interest in participating, viewing this as an opportunity to boost local economies and enhance their regional roles. However, scholars and policy experts have voiced concerns, arguing that the absence of clear criteria could allow the selection process to be influenced by political calculations rather than the actual capabilities and conditions of each region.
"The law currently only provides direction. Without a transparent set of criteria, the selection could easily be swayed by factors such as political balance, regional interests, or even personal connections," said a public policy analyst.
Several public administration researchers have also warned that if the process lacks transparency, the competition could become a playground for regions with stronger political voices, contradicting the original goal of building an effective backup center for Tokyo. They urge the government to develop selection criteria based on factors like transportation infrastructure, crisis management capacity, human resources, and regional resilience.
Japanese public opinion is also closely watching these developments, as the government has indicated it will soon provide detailed guidelines on evaluating proposals from local governments. For now, determining one or more 'second capitals' is expected to remain a challenging puzzle, requiring a balance between the need for decentralization and the operational efficiency of the national administrative machinery.
