Japan's 'sub-capital' race begins as Osaka, Fukuoka, Aichi lead bids

Japan's push to establish "sub-capitals" has officially kicked off a race among its regions, with several prefectures already signaling their intent to compete for the prestigious designation. The move follows the formal establishment of relevant legislation, paving the way for local governments to bid for this new status.

Osaka Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, and Aichi Prefecture have taken the lead, being the first to publicly declare their ambitions. These regions are expected to present compelling cases for why they should be considered a "sub-capital," likely highlighting their economic, cultural, and logistical strengths.

Beyond these initial contenders, Hokkaido and Miyagi prefectures have also announced they will be actively assessing their options for applying. This indicates a growing interest and a potentially widespread competition, as more prefectures are anticipated to join the race in the coming months. The "sub-capital" initiative aims to decentralize power and promote regional development across Japan.