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Issei Kato / Reuters
Onlookers get a panoramic view of the city of Tokyo from the first observatory deck during a media preview of the Tokyo Sky Tree tower this week. Some Japanese lawmakers have proposed constructing a "backup city" that could take on the capital's functions in the event of a catastrophe.
It sounds like a story ripped from the parody-filled pages of The Onion, but some Japanese lawmakers really do want to build a "backup city" that would take over the functions of Tokyo, including tourism, in the event of a catastrophe.
The idea was floated last month at a Tokyo luncheon, with a follow-up in The Telegraph last week. "The idea of being able to have a backup, a spare battery for the functions of the nation ... isn't this really a good idea?" Hajime Ishii, a parliamentarian representing the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, was quoted as saying.
Support for creating an urban Plan B has grown in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in March and led to the Fukushima nuclear crisis. "Preparations are already under way at various levels to find ways of mitigating possible far-reaching consequences of a much-expected earthquake striking Tokyo," the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan said.
The lawmakers' plan calls for building an urban center known as IRTBBC (Integrated Resort, Tourism, Business and Backup City) or NEMIC (National Emergency Management International City) on the 1,236-acre site currently occupied by Osaka International Airport at Itami. Today, Itami is used only as a secondary hub for domestic flights, operating in the shadow of the newer Kansai airport.
The new city would take on all the functions of the capital city in the event of an emergency. It would boast office complexes, resort facilities, parks and even casinos. The city's centerpiece would be a tower that would rank among the tallest in the world, coming in at just over 650 meters (2,133 feet). It'd be built to house 50,000 residents and accommodate a workday population of around 200,000 people from the Osaka region, The Telegraph reported.
If the plan goes forward, it would rank among history's most ambitious backup plans. The backers haven't calculated the cost of building the city. For now, Ishii and his fellow lawmakers — including the Democratic Party's Banri Kaieda, Shizuka Kamei of the People's New Party and Ichiro Aisawa of the Liberal Democrats — are merely seeking 14 million yen ($180,000) for a feasibility study.
So far, the reaction has been mixed: Osaka's governor, Toru Hashimoto, has been quoted as saying that his region is willing to accept the capital backup role, while Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara has voiced opposition. And he may not be the only one: It just seems to me that most emergency-management officials, if not most politicians, would prefer to fortify what they have rather than building a whole new complex someplace else. Of course, I could be wrong about that.
More about Japan's future:
- Special report: "After the Wave"
- Japan marks six months since quake, tsunami
- Japan reactor restrarts; new glitch hits Fukushima
- Cosmic Log archive on Japan
Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding me to your Google+ circle. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for other worlds.
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If you're going to be that paranoid/prepared, wouldn't you want a backup airport too? And have they considered using it for normal housing? I thought it was shoulder-to-shoulder over there.
Actually, I'm pretty sure that the airport and a functioning urban community would be part of the package. I don't expect that they'd just have a lot of empty buildings sitting there, waiting just in case of emergency. On one level, this would be a huge stimulus package of urban development. A boon for Osaka ... which is why Tokyo might not like it.
That's exactly why Tokyo wouldn't like it. Osaka and Tokyo have a sort of rivalry in Japan, so naturally Tokyo hates to see Osaka steal any of its goodies. This is the opinion of a proud former resident of Osaka, though, so I'm a bit biased! :)
They should call it Kyoto.
They should build it in Nevada. I hear that real estate is cheap there, and the remodeling could be done by out of work construction guys in the USA.
Should have just bought the Apple. Now they're stuck with PC and have to back up the whole damn island.
At this point, childish rivalry between cities has no place in the culture. Kensai Airport is located on a island, certainly man made, and depending on that airport to maintain international flights and/or transport supplies in the event of another enormous quake would be very unwise, tsunami or not, liquefaction being the primary reason. Kobe, not far from Osaka, has already suffered a disastrous quake not too many years ago. Building towers and tourist sites is a waste of resources. However, providing a hub for storage of irreplaceable electronic data away from the ocean, and limited housing and office space for necessary government and emergency personnel would make far greater sense. It would also make sense to keep the airport at Itami in operating condition. Japan has nothing to prove to the world. It has already proven itself many times. It is time, however, for planning using common sense.
Japan is further in debt, per capita than the US. Where does the money come from? Do they have that back-up printing press to print the Yen?
This would be really, really stupid, is what it would be. Tourism for a devastated city? The Japanese better build graveyards after their triple meltdown that has no method of containment or resolvement, even according to themselves. They are going to have such high rates of cancer and leukemia in just a few years this article proves they are totally out of touch with reality. How about dealing with the lethal levels of cesium in Tokyo? Marbleheaded dopes who have poisoned the oceans and the world.
I read on October 21st in chatter between two scientists who had just been there the cesium levels measured 32,000 times recommended levels for safety. I agree, the moon is probably the best place for them to go and build this backup. What they have done, and how they have reacted to their triple meltdown, hasn't even been discussed rationally yet by the world OR themselves. Try and find reporting on it after May in major information sources. Nothing. There's a reason.
Nuclear energy is the most expensive manner and the only lethal manner to turn on a light bulb.
If this means jobs for Americans Otherwise Sony Toyota Mitsubishi Subaru Mazda take a hike..
They need to invest in solar and wind energy, but especially to triumphantly lead the world in tidal generated energy because that is safe with no adverse byproducts. They are an island surrounded by oceans and tides, for goodness sake. Tesla had some sensational concepts they should look at and adapt.
So let me get this straight. Because this is one of the most seismically active places on the planet, they want to build a "backup" city featuring a building over 2,000 feet high and housing 50,000 people?? What could possibly go wrong with that?
"Nuclear energy is the most expensive manner and the only lethal manner to turn on a light bulb."...You are an idi@t. Nuclear is 2nd only to hydroelectric as the cheapest way to produce electricity per kilowatt hour. Solar and Wind are the most expensive by a wide margin.
Just because it isn't shown on Yahoo or MSN or any other "daily news source" doesn't mean the other problems aren't being discussed. Notice they are setting up a plan to see if this is even feasable. Though, it does seem illogical, irregardless. It just shows that we (human race) has built our lives around 'economic growth', and as important as it is, there are just some things you can't prepare for, not when you talk about the destruction of an entire city.
James............Solar and Wind aren't cheaper than Nuclear when you figure in the death rate, cleanup, and environmental damage when something goes wrong. Which it always does. Oh, yeah, and then there's the expensive rod storage charges................
well that is until a good gust of wind blows it over, or godzilla mistakes it for a "sock-n-bop"
Look!...........Its clone-zilla! LMAO!
Any disaster in Tokyo could just as easily strike Osaka. What happens when they build a backup city and that city gets destroyed? It's a complete waste of money. Spend the money improving what is there so it won't be destroyed. Otherwise, you're just adding another target for the next earthquake or typhoon to destroy. Besides, a huge skyscraper in a place that gets frequent large earthquakes is extremely stupid.
@Riamus,
i agree, but then what would they spend $$ on that would otherwise be useless?
They should just build an underground geo-front fortress like the one in Evangelion. That would do the trick :)
@Sandtrich,
While Japan does have a higher debt/gdp ratio, most of their debt is domestically held, so they aren't really paying all that interest to foreign entities like the US, making it much more manageable and sustainable.
A back-up city?? What the heck is the USA then??
Wasn't the previous feng-shui enough?
I have mixed feelings on this. yes it's a good idea, but then again. if another earthquake hits what happens if both city's are destroyed? there are cons and pros to this idea. But reading that people are saying the radiation is bad and that it is poisning everything, obviously they aren't living in japan, and are only getting the Us news. yeah it's not good, but it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. trust me, nothing except certain area's around the plants are bad. Also to the people saying it is bad that they have sky scrapers. issue is, there is only one way for them to go now in big city's and that is up. They build these huge skyscrapers to withstand amazingly huge earthquakes like the one on march 11th. I live on the 8th floor of an apartment on a military base, trust me i am still standy. it wasn't a fun ride, but we are all still here. japanese people are amazingly good builders and are smart about it. But we all must think of how far they have come in rebuilding in just 9 months, it's amazing. It's something you have to see for yourself in person. So please before calling any of the japanese stupid, think about what you are saying. They are amazing people with an amazing culture.
If it's earthquakes you're worried about, a floating sky-city is the obvious answer
Brilliant.
Why didn't I think of that?
Building a duplicate of Tokyo... hmmmmmmm.... sounds like an idea borrowed from the movie Contact.
Why build only one when you can have two for twice the price? [Mr.Haddon smiles his evil grin]
I would like to hang around with Jodie Foster when she gets to take a ride on the Bizarro-Tokyo. Now I sed I wood like to hang around with Jedi Foster, but NOT to stalk her. Jedi would have me around, willingly. And I would protect her from actual stalkers.
Good people of Tokyo, you have my blessing to build the duplicate Tokyo. Just... find some better electrical generating technology. Do NOT use nuclear power plants anymore, OK?
No, they need to build it underground and have it rise up if the city above it gets destroyed. Kind of like NERV on Neon Genesis Evangellion.
@ManFromNantucket At least there's no worries about Angel attacks.
Or so you think. Muhahahahahahha! :P Maybe First Impact is coming. :D
Actually what they should do is create an offsite backup, like any small business does. Put the backup Capital in say Canada and just restore it in case of disaster. See, If you put the backup on the island of Japan, and the whole island get's wiped out...they will be doubly screwed. It just makes sense.
No! They have to put in on mars in case the whole world ends. DUH
Imagine the skeleton crew that would have to keep the facility in good order until needed. Clean a toilet, play PS3 for four hours, clean another toilet, repeat.
They should do exactly what we should do when we rebuild from disaster. Build stronger for the next calamity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yJfcnIFYqg Monolithic homes.
But no, we use old tech that will collapse easily.
What if something happens to the backup city? Are you going to build a backup backup city? I don't see this happening.
In case Godzilla attacks again...
What makes these bozo lawmakers think that a single disaster won't hit both cities all at once? It's Japan, not China - they don't have a lot of land. Plus - who's going to live in and take care of people while all of the people actually live in Tokyo? A fleet of service robots? WTF?! Stupidest idea I ever heard.
shows how little you truly know about the country and its geography/demographics. STUPIDEST comment I have ever heard...
No. Never mind. Strike my thot.
Umm, Japan is about the same size as California. An earthquake that happens in San Francisco does not happen in San Diego and vice-versa. Same thing with Japan.
Umm, Japan is about the same size as California. An earthquake that happens in San Francisco does not happen in San Diego and vice-versa. Same thing with Japan.
Methinks they are just "cloning" around.
Oh Yeah, that's a great idea. Build the Tallest tower in the world in the most Earthquake Prone country in the world. And they are going to do all this on a little over 1,200 Acres? These people can't be serious. I think that last Earthquake Rattled their Brain's.
Am I the only one reminded of Blazing Saddles when they build a decoy town? Lol
blazing saddles= one of the funniest yet racist movies ever
In this case it would be called Lock Lidge.
Funny all three times...all three times... all three times.
they should join the space race and place the 2nd city on the moon- its a safe bet that they don't have active earthquakes? or do they ? might be a challenge though to find food there
They don't have Earthquakes on the moon - they are called moonquakes and if they hit soft dirt in the craters they make - - are you ready?? -- are you sure?? --MOONPIES!!!
far fetched thinking here...won't live long enough to witness this...this maybe a forever job/ task....
Suppose the "backup city" gets hit with an earthquake first? then what? that means that Tokyo would have to be the backup city for the "backup city' I guess.
Maybe Japan should instead worry about not further inflating their currency and paying off their debts instead of building a backup city.
Just a suggestion. But as bad as our FED is, Japan is the one place the printing press never stops.
The biggest difference between debt in Japan and debt of the US and Europe is that Japanese debt is 100% internal. Since it's all internal, if Japan defaults, no other country takes a hit because no other country buys Japanese Treasury bonds except for the Japanese themselves. The only loss is future Japanese and their taxpayers.
The European and US debt is held both by their taxpayers and by other countries. This is why when Greece defaulted, it resonated to the rest of the world because other countries held Greek Treasury bonds. Since Greek taxpayers and American investors hold Greek bonds, everybody gets screwed.
In that light, I respect the Japanese that they keep their debt all to themselves and make themselves responsible for their own problems. Compare that to the US where we rely on other countries to buy US Treasury bonds, where China owns over 1/3rd of American public debt.
It's a foolheardy movve if you ask me!
Clever...very clever.
Stir imaginations. Put people to work.
Present it as a potential santuary, should nothing happen in Japan, to many, many immigrants from another potential disaster zone somewhere else in this world (God forbid).
Thinkers....that's what they are. A little bit of innovation and imagination that seems to be rapidly disappearing in other countries.
I understand your name now Scrum.
borat reminds us of what scrum means in kazakhstan
lol Ladies and Gentlemen Say Hello to "Neo Tokyo"
Then say hello to Akira!
Why not develop contingency plans. Whether or not you believe that these natural and man made disasters have been foretold in religious texts such as the Bible and the Balenyata, the facts speak for themselves. Our lack of foresight, and resulting ineffective or absent planning has evidenced the vulnerabilities of both our infrastructure and our governments' inability to cope with these situations.
Although I agree with you sentiment of "Why not develop contingency plans?", I've got to say, dude, predicting a natural disaster through the code of a religious text after the fact is an unhelpful gimmick. You know what it's called when you predict something after it happens? Postdiction. And that what all these retroactive "pre"dictions pulled from religious texts, Nostradamus, the Bible code, and friggin reading tea leaves or some other unreliable method do. It's unhelpful, it's a distraction, and it doesn't lend an credence to soothsaying. As a matter of fact it damages the credence of soothsaying and the religion the postdiction is attached to when debunked by things like the Moby Dick Code.
If you think we have a lack of foresight for not paying attention to religious texts, then tell me something. When and where do the religious texts say the next natural disaster will happen? Or do they just vaguely and unhelpfully state that an unspecified natural disaster will happen somewhere in the world?
The city is being built as a backup for "a much anticipated earthquake" yet will "boast" a 2000+foot skyscraper? We can tell them what can happen if a tall building (or two) are hit with things like aircraft so it is not a stretch to imagine what might happen when a 2000+ foot building is hit with a major quake.
Tarzan just noticed your post - what is it they say "great minds........"?
That they are far too uncommon. Neither one of you is using your "brain's" [sic]
That's because [a]proxy, you've got to be able to think outside the box.
If Tokyo is at or near sea level, it will eventually have to be replaced anyway based upon the reality of rising sea levels and other factors at play in the coming decades and centuries. As will many other cities around the world, while we witness the map being remade right before our very eyes. Speaking of capitals, and the need to have back-ups for them, it will be no different for the US, as Washington is on a low coastal plain that will inevitably be submerged by the melting of the WAIS and the shrinking of the EAIS. Not such a crazy idea, when you look at the clear evidence and trends in regards to the climate, to develop a vision that goes beyond the here and now to what will be. The US military and Intelligence community are already planning for the new world made by a changed climate, why shouldn't other countries have the good sense to plan for a much different world than the one we've known when the evidence suggests it will become a different place.
So how much higher above sea level, compared to Tokyo, is the backup Tokyo?
So our great leaders do have a back-up plan, it's called the NEW WORLD ORDER, and it is under the Denver airport..but hey, thats just a rumor... and that would be thinking inside the box...
Might as well do it the U.S. will end up paying for that too
I will backup any city for $19.95. And if you order today i will send you a second one free (just pay separate shipping and handling).
LOL!!!!!!!!
...what about having a back up wife?
Ya know, there is that time every month when main wife jumps on her 'Harley' and roars thru the house for a week....
...it would be good to have a back up.