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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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Many companies have the same plan.
Hurricane, Earthquake, Tornado, Winter Storm - Many companies have data centers and other operating facilities 200-300 further inland or in another State just in case.
The US Govt has made similar plans in the wake of the 9/11 attack.
what if the extra building they build is involved in the catastrophe? Perhaps instead of building one massive structure, change the urban sprawl to a more functional one! Humans are not designed to live in Citys! Why not take 10 small apartment buildings and build one 20+ story building that can withstand an earthquake etc. Take the remaining land and you will have a giant staging area for any event! This earth is running out of land we have to find out ways to conserve! Just because there is land doesnt mean we should develop! we need to re-develop our ways of urban sprawl! Maybe i should just help run this idea for Japan! but kudos to Japan! America would never do that! our infastructure alone is a D- for all of the United States!!! And for anyone who receives a D- in college doesnt really have a bright future! I am also sure that whoever graded our infastructure was "asked" or "paid" to raise it from an "F"!!!
I don't get it....govt and tourism backup facilities...??? Don't we call these Satellite Offices? That's the whole point of decentralization. Are they saying that if Tokyo tourism is screwed, other towns aren't good enough? Are they supposed to re-create the "essence" of tourism in Tokyo...??? WTF?
If any country can work together and poll this off it is Japan. It is a shame all our politicians can do is lie, cheat, steal and play party politics. Oh did I forget they line their own pockets with our tax money.
You need to read up on the Japanese Diet if you think their politicians are paragons of virtue.
The Japanese want to make a backup Tokyo? Why don't they try to come up with a way to make what every Japanese male and especially every Japanese female truly wants... Bigger Penises... You could have three Tokyo's and they would still all have rice dicks... I guarantee they would prefer the larger male organs than another new overcrowded city...
With the radiation glowing outside Tokyo they might get their wish... It enlarged Mothra and Godzilla or Godzirra if you listen to them say it...
This is an excellent Idea. We should consider such an Idea for ourselves. A backup home when yours gets flooded? A backup when yours gets frozen in an ice storm. At the moment a noreaster has us on spare power. Contingency plans are always a good idea for financial and personal survival. I once floated Idea for a contingency after a hurricane to bunk up fellow citizens but would you welcome your neighbors for shelter? I would recommend
it but supply your own plan as in this cruel world we must be self reliant. Now you got me thinking about having a second home plan. :)
So.. what if the disaster hits the back up city? or both?
Mongo wouldn't like that!
@VerbalHarpoon....There already IS a place in Japan called Kyoto. -.-
This is a great idea-you never know when Godzilla will show up!
i say pull out some of our troops and give them back the base so they can build, they have their own army so they don't need ours and our spending would be much over there pringing up the value of our $.
The Japanese could pull this off. They are an amazingly resourceful people.
It won't be posted on F/B if you have to put in a coded query!
new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
remarkable
They should. They could build yet one more, call it "Tokyo-3", make the buildings retractable, arm it to the gills, and guard it with giant "robot" weapon systems piloted by angsty 14-year tweens.
Lol, Godzilla really has them more spooked than we thought!
(Yes, I'm a jerk for saying that, I'm just joking; I know exactly why they are worried, what with the earthquakes and tsunamis and @!$%#)
I've read and seen picture of giant Chinese cities sitting embpty for some reson but no explanation...some are mega cities..so no not exactly crazy to be prepared for natural disasters, human disasters and climate change severe conditions.
Chuck. SPELL CHECKER. Please!
I've seen pictures of giant new Chinese cities sitting empty some are mega cities, one with a planned 1 million person university. Good idea for the event of natural disaters, human disasters, and climate change chaos ahead.
Time to populate......Let The Cloning of Tokyo commence.
LOL !!! No need for a back up Japan it already ixist its by Downtown Los Angeles. Called Little Tokyo.
Once again. Please use proper grammar and use the spell checker!! PLEASE!