LDP approves bill for 'sub-capital' after amending referendum rules

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has moved forward with a bill to establish a "sub-capital," a concept aimed at decentralizing government functions. During a joint meeting, the party approved an amended version of the bill, specifically addressing provisions for resident referendums.

These clauses had previously drawn criticism from within the LDP. The party's decision to revise them signals an effort to build broader consensus before advancing the legislation.

The LDP plans to submit the revised bill to the current session of the Diet, Japan's national legislature. This move follows coordination efforts with the Japan Innovation Party, another key political force.

The "sub-capital" initiative is part of a larger discussion about Japan's urban planning and administrative structure, seeking to create alternative centers of governance and reduce the concentration of power in Tokyo.