Japan Diet Passes “Second Capital” Bill as 2026 Main Session Effectively Ends

Japan’s parliament has passed legislation creating a “second capital,” designed to serve as a backup for Tokyo’s core functions during major disasters or emergencies. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, backed the measure to decentralize administrative power and reduce concentration in the capital. Lawmakers aimed to complete enactment by the end of the current Diet session on July 17, paving the way for this year’s main session to conclude after an extension. Opposition and debate surrounded how the system would operate.