Kyoto Proposes to Become "Backup Capital" in a Disaster

They are counting that whatever disaster hits Tokyo won't hit Kyoto at the same time.

Kyoto is not without danger, as it is located downwind from the "Nuclear Ginza" (including Ooi Nuclear Power Plant and Monju) in Fukui Prefecture. For that matter, nowhere in Japan seems safe from a nuclear accident.

From Yomiuri Shinbun (5/31/2012):

皇室や文化庁 京へ移転を 首都バックアップ検討委

Capital backup committee suggests the Imperial Household and the Agency for Cultural Affairs move to Kyoto

災害時の首都機能バックアップに関する検討委員会が３０日、上京区で開かれ、京都が受け持つことができる機能について、皇室の居住や文化庁の移転などとする中間報告がほぼまとまった。近く、国に提案する。

A meeting of a study committee regarding the backup of functions of the capital in time of a disaster was held on May 30 in Kamigyoku [district of Kyoto City]. The interim report was almost complete, which would include having the Imperial Household residing in Kyoto and moving the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

　検討会は府や京都市、学識経験者らで構成。機能を受け入れるエリアとしては、京都市中心部と桂イノベーションパーク、らくなん進都、学研都市を対象としている。

The committee is made up of officials in Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City and persons of experience and academic standing. The areas that would host the backup functions would be Kyoto City center, Katsura Innovation Park, Rakunan Shinto, [Kansai] Cultural and Academic Research City.

　検討会では、京都は首都圏と同時に被災する可能性が低く、地理的にもアクセスしやすい利便性があることを確認。その上で、京都御所や京都迎賓館があることから、皇室の人々の居住や儀礼の実施を受け入れやすいと判断した。また、文化庁や観光庁の移転、国会や首相官邸の代替施設となる可能性があるため国立京都国際会館の機能を強化することも国に提案する。

The committee acknowledged Kyoto to have a low possibility to be hit by a disaster at the same time as the Tokyo metropolitan areas, and to be easily accessible geographically. In addition, the existence of Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto State Guest House makes it easier for the Imperial Household to reside in Kyoto and conduct ceremonies. The committee will suggest to the national government to move the Agency for Cultural Affairs and Japan Tourism Agency and to strengthen the Kyoto International Conference Hall to serve as the National Diet and the Prime Minister's Official Residence.

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"Backup" Tokyo (Capital of Japan) to Be Considered Somewhere in Japan to Preserve Government Functions in Case of Disaster

Locations already jockeying for the front-runner position to become a "backup" capital include Hokkaido, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

There they go again, looking for another construction boom in the land of earthquakes, tsunamis and nuclear accidents.

From Jiji Tsushin (2/8/2012):

首都機能バックアップ検討へ＝１０日に初会合－民主

Democratic Party of Japan to consider backing up of the capital functions

　民主党は、「首都中枢機能バックアップ作業チーム」（座長・馬淵澄夫元国土交通相）の初会合を１０日に開く。東京が直下型地震などで壊滅的な被害に遭った場合に備え、代替策を検討する。首相官邸や中央省庁などの機能を一時的に移す地域を特定するかどうかが焦点。３月中に政府に報告書を提出する。

Democratic Party of Japan will hold the first meeting of "the working group for backing up the core functions of the capital" (headed by Sumio Mabuchi, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation) on February 10. It is to prepare for the case of Tokyo devastated by an epicentral earthquake. The focus will be whether the group designates a location to temporarily move the function of the Prime Minister's Official Residence and the central government ministries. The group will submit the report to the government by the end of March.

　東日本大震災を受け、国交省の有識者会議は昨年１２月、首都機能のバックアップに関する議論を開始した。同会議は具体的な地域名は決めないとしているが、既に北海道、大阪府、福岡市などが名乗りを上げるなど、誘致合戦が過熱し始めている。

The expert committee at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation started the discussion on backup functions of the capital last December, in light of the March 11, 2011 earthquake/tsunami. The committee says it won't specify the location [to which the functions will be moved], but heated campaigns to become a "backup" capital have already started among locations including Hokkaido, Osaka, and Fukuoka City.

Well, even after the Fukushima I Nuke Plant accident, they still do not (or cannot) say they should consider a potential nuclear disaster when planning a backup capital. If they do consider, there may be nowhere in Japan that's suitable.

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