Japanese media reported on May 5 that after Osaka Governor Yoshimura proposed a
'vice‑capital' plan, Fukuoka and Nagoya have entered the contest, intensifying
the race for backup‑capital status. The proposal would have Osaka temporarily
assume Tokyo’s capital functions in the event of a major disaster to preserve
core national executive and judicial operations. Proponents frame the plan as
creating multi‑polar, decentralized economic zones by incentivizing population
inflows, supporting universities and expanding youth employment to curb Tokyo’s
concentration.
