Japan's ruling coalition plans to extend the Diet session by approximately seven to 10 days [1] to pass a vice capital bill.
The legislation is critical for national security and urban planning. It aims to establish a backup for capital functions during large-scale disasters, correct the over-concentration of resources in Tokyo, and distribute economic zones across different regions [1].
The bill, submitted by a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, has already passed the House of Representatives and moved to the House of Councillors [1]. However, officials determined that finalizing the law before the current session ends on July 17 [1] would be difficult.
Nakatsuji, secretary-general of the Japan Innovation Party, said he requested that the session be extended if the bill cannot be passed within the current timeframe [2]. While some reports suggest a shorter extension, other sources indicate that a more substantial extension of the session remains a possibility [3].
The move follows a period of legislative tension. Some reports noted that the bill had not been submitted even a month before the session's end, though others clarify that less than one week remained as of July 16 [2]. The government is now prioritizing the bill's passage to ensure the disaster backup framework is legally established [1].
“The legislation aims to establish a backup for capital functions during large-scale disasters.”
The push for a vice capital law reflects Japan's long-term strategy to mitigate the systemic risk of having all administrative power concentrated in Tokyo. By diversifying the location of government functions, Japan intends to ensure continuity of government during catastrophic events, such as major earthquakes, while simultaneously addressing the economic stagnation of rural prefectures.
