Japan Considers Building A 'Backup' Tokyo
Japan considers building an alternative capital to allay fears of another natural disaster, reported constructiondigital.com. The devastation and human tragedies following the March 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Japan was a wake up call to government officials, who share concerns over the vulnerability of Japan's capital to such an event. Enough concern, in fact, for the leading Democratic Party is considering plans to build a backup Tokyo, 400 kilometer to the southwest.
This "Plan B" city would house the government and curb economic losses if disaster, natural or otherwise, destroyed Japan's largest city. The proposed city would house much more than just emergency government officials, however. The plans include office towers, resorts, residential complexes, and more. There is even a bid to build "the tallest tower in the world" in what has been named Integrated Resort, Tourism, Business, and Backup City. Tokyo is home to nearly 35 million people in the greater metro area, and many wonder how the proposed city, built for a mere population of 200 thousand , could possibly serve a backup function to Japan's thriving capital.
The proposed site is currently home to the underused "Itami Airport", and stretches for more than 5 thousand square meters. Already the project has received approval by Naoto Kan, the former prime minister, as well as the former trade and industry minister Banri Kaieda. Officials claim that over 90 percent of the funds for the city will come from private industry. Nate Berg over at The Atlantic Cities wonders, though, why this or similar funding won't be used to better prepare the current capital, should the unthinkable happen.
This "Plan B" city would house the government and curb economic losses if disaster, natural or otherwise, destroyed Japan's largest city. The proposed city would house much more than just emergency government officials, however. The plans include office towers, resorts, residential complexes, and more. There is even a bid to build "the tallest tower in the world" in what has been named Integrated Resort, Tourism, Business, and Backup City. Tokyo is home to nearly 35 million people in the greater metro area, and many wonder how the proposed city, built for a mere population of 200 thousand , could possibly serve a backup function to Japan's thriving capital.
The proposed site is currently home to the underused "Itami Airport", and stretches for more than 5 thousand square meters. Already the project has received approval by Naoto Kan, the former prime minister, as well as the former trade and industry minister Banri Kaieda. Officials claim that over 90 percent of the funds for the city will come from private industry. Nate Berg over at The Atlantic Cities wonders, though, why this or similar funding won't be used to better prepare the current capital, should the unthinkable happen.
