Osaka attempts to be designated as a prefecture and cityJapan The sub-capital city wrote in a mid-term report that it would be “consistent with the name of ‘first sub-capital city'” and said that to replace the capital’s functions in times of disaster, the government should allocate national central functions to Osaka in normal times.
Japan’s Kyodo News interviewed relevant people on the 3rd to obtain a full report. The report also includes the idea of creating a financial support system to help build the necessary facilities and infrastructure.
The report also emphasizes that if the “Osaka City Concept” of turning Osaka City, a city designated by decree, into a special district can be realized, police, firefighting, and tap water can be integrated. The report also proposed that relevant central government agencies such as the Disaster Prevention Agency and its “Disaster Prevention Bureau”, which cooperate with local governments, be decentralized to Osaka.
Currently, in addition to Osaka Prefecture, Hokkaido, Aichi Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture are also expected to be designated as sub-capitals. The Japanese government stated that as long as all requirements were met, all locations would be designated. Kyodo News analyzed that Osaka deliberately positioned itself as the “first vice capital” in hopes of receiving more substantial manpower allocation and financial support than other candidate locations.
The Osaka Prefectural and Municipal Affairs Bureau is expected to announce the mid-term report at the meeting of the Deputy Capital Promotion Headquarters held by the Osaka City Government on the 4th. It is expected to submit a draft around March next year and complete the official version within the 2027 financial year.
