「歴史に『もし』はないけれど・・・」日本の首都移転先に検討された意外な都市　韓国・ソウル、福岡県八女市も・・・その共通点

The ruling party is aiming to pass legislation in the current Diet session regarding the "Secondary Capital Concept," which would replace some of the capital's functions in the event of a large-scale disaster. Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City have expressed interest, but in the past, an unexpected region was mentioned as a candidate for the capital's relocation site. The Start of Discussions on the "Secondary Capital Concept" Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi "Regarding the Secondary Capital Concept, I understand that vigorous discussions have been held within the ruling party's consultative body, and that an agreement was recently reached on the draft outline of the bill." The Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party are aiming to pass the "Secondary Capital Bill" in the current Diet session. The "outline" presented at the end of March this year defines the secondary capital as a region that would replace the capital's functions in the event of a large-scale disaster. "Fukuoka City" and "Kitakyushu City" Show Interest in Becoming a Secondary Capital Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City are the two cities that have expressed interest in becoming the secondary capital. Fukuoka City Mayor Soichiro Takashima: "If we're talking about a backup for the central functions of the Tokyo metropolitan area and the country in the event of a disaster, and also a driving force for the economy of the entire area, then naturally, a prefecture with a designated city would be the most realistic option." Kitakyushu City Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi: "It has ample potential to become a secondary capital. We want to make good use of it for the sake of Japan." Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City are emphasizing their geographical strengths, such as their low risk of being affected simultaneously with Tokyo in the event of a large-scale disaster like a Nankai Trough mega-earthquake. The location considered 80 years ago was a place with "peaceful tea plantations." In fact, the relocation of the capital was considered approximately 80 years ago. RKB Reporter Takashi Imabayashi: "Yame City, a tea-producing region with a peaceful landscape, was once considered as a potential location for the capital." Yame City, located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, has a population of 60,000. In October 1943, as the war situation worsened, the Planning Board, directly under the Prime Minister, listed present-day Yame City as one of three areas to relocate the capital. The conditions set were: • Low incidence of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods • Flat terrain with beautiful scenery • Convenient transportation and a reasonable distance from other cities. Yame City Mayor Yutaro Minohara "There have been three times so far when Yame City came close to becoming the center of Japan." Why Yame City? Its past near-center status It was considered a candidate site for the capital relocation during the wartime Showa era. Before that was the Nanboku-cho period in the 1300s. Yame became a base for the Southern Court. The first instance was approximately 1500 years ago, during the time of Tsukushi no Kimi Iwai, a powerful local lord buried in the Iwatoyama Kofun, the largest keyhole-shaped burial mound in northern Kyushu. Iwatoyama Historical and Cultural Exchange Center Director, Toshiaki Izaki: "He was a man who fought against the Yamato court, so he must have been a very powerful person. In the end, the Yamato court won. That battle is positioned as the starting point for the formation of the ancient Japanese state. In that context, Iwai's influence must have been very strong up until then." Iwai is said to have fought against the Yamato court and been defeated. Burial artifacts originating from the Korean Peninsula have been found in the tombs of his family, indicating that a powerful force existed in Yame. Iwatoyama Historical and Cultural Exchange Center, Director Toshiaki Izaki: "While there are no 'what ifs' in history, if Chikushi had won, it's possible that it could have become the center of Japan." Regarding the secondary capital concept, the current head of Yame City says... Yame City Mayor Yutaro Minohara: "The relocation of secondary capital functions to Fukuoka Prefecture will lead to a concentration of people and money in Fukuoka Prefecture, so naturally, Yame will also benefit greatly. In fact, by actively participating in the discussions, we hope that Yame can take on a position where it can, in a sense, play a part in the functions of a secondary capital." The circumstances surrounding Seoul, South Korea, being considered as a potential capital site for Japan: Yame wasn't the only place considered as a capital site during wartime. RKB Reporter Takashi Imabayashi: "Seoul, which was under Japanese rule before the war, was also listed as a candidate site for the capital." As Japan expanded into the continent, Seoul, which was a colony at the time, was also considered as a potential capital site. In South Kore...