In Japan, a project for a "second capital" in case of disaster is attracting the interest of major cities

Japan is experiencing a unique "gold rush" as local governments vie for the opportunity to establish a "second capital" to ensure continuity of essential government functions in case of disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis. This initiative, approved in July and open for applications since October 30, aims to alleviate the overconcentration of population and economic activity in Tokyo, which accounts for a significant portion of the national GDP and hosts a large percentage of the country's listed companies. Following the devastating 2011 disaster, the government recognizes the high risk of future seismic events, prompting the need for a resilient infrastructure to maintain public services.