Osaka, Fukuoka and Aichi prefectures have thrown their hats into the ring to be Japan's official deputy capital. This move is part of the country's strategy to decentralize power and ease congestion in Tokyo. The exact timelines and final decision procedures are still unclear, however, this marks a significant step in Japan's urban development endeavor.

Most of Japan's political and economic power is concentrated in Tokyo. The concept of a deputy capital aims to redistribute this power and help cope with issues such as overcrowding and disaster readiness. The public is mainly concerned with how this will affect infrastructure, employment, and regional development.

In the US, there isn’t an official ‘deputy’ capital. Cities like New York and Los Angeles operate as significant economic hubs but without the formal designation. Similarly, in the EU, power is distributed across various cities like Brussels, Frankfurt, and Strasbourg.