Japan is considering plans to establish a 'vice capital', leading to widespread discussion and speculation about which city could claim the title. The selection process involves multiple factors such as strategic location, economic potential, and resilience against natural disasters. Various cities and regions have entered the race with unique propositions, hoping to reap the numerous development benefits that would come with such designation.

This plan is a part of Japan's broader strategy to decentralize from Tokyo and prevent population concentration in the capital, a topic that has been of great concern for the country's land usage and disaster preparedness. Citizens care deeply about this issue as it has wide implications on regional development, housing, employment, and socio-economic dynamics.

In the US and EU, separation of political and economic capitals are the norm, such as Washington D.C. and New York in US or Brussels and Frankfurt in EU. However, discussions regarding relocating major governmental or institutional functions rarely occur, unlike Japan's current potential relocation of several central functions from Tokyo.