Fukuoka is one of four cities meeting proposed requirements for designation as a backup capital, government sources told NHK. The draft concerns cities that would take over capital functions during a major disaster; it is not a designation decision. It proposes a city population of at least 1.2% of Japan’s total and prefectural output equivalent to at least 2.1% of national GDP. Other requirements concern national government offices, administrative arrangements and a low risk of suffering the same disaster as Tokyo. The government plans public consultation before deciding the ordinance around late October, with Sapporo, Nagoya and Osaka also meeting the draft criteria. Source: NHK News / Nishinippon Shimbun
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