Gunma Prefecture has formally announced its candidacy to become a secondary capital of Japan [1].

This bid represents a strategic effort to create a critical backup hub for the Japanese government if Tokyo becomes non-functional during a disaster. By establishing a secondary capital, the region aims to correct the extreme centralization of power and population in Tokyo, a vulnerability that has long concerned national planners.

Governor Ichita Yamamoto announced the decision during a regular press conference on July 30, 2026 [1]. The governor said that Gunma is uniquely positioned due to its relatively low disaster risk and its high accessibility to the current capital [1]. He said that the prefecture possesses the necessary wide-area transportation infrastructure to support such a role [1].

"I would like to announce that Gunma Prefecture wishes to stand as a candidate for the secondary capital," Yamamoto said [1].

Gunma is not the only region seeking this designation. Two other prefectures, Osaka and Fukuoka, have already expressed their interest in becoming the nation's secondary capital [2]. These regions offer different strategic advantages, with Osaka and Fukuoka providing distant geographic diversification compared to Gunma's proximity to Tokyo [2].

The proposal focuses on ensuring continuity of government operations. Gunma's leadership said that its geographical stability makes it an ideal site for emergency administrative functions, providing a safeguard against the seismic risks associated with the Kanto region [1].

“Gunma Prefecture has formally announced its candidacy to become a secondary capital of Japan.”

The competition between Gunma, Osaka, and Fukuoka highlights a growing tension in Japanese urban planning between the need for geographic diversification and the practical benefits of proximity. While Osaka and Fukuoka offer a 'fail-safe' by being far from Tokyo, Gunma's bid emphasizes a balance of accessibility and safety, suggesting a strategy based on operational continuity rather than total relocation.