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Home >> National and Regional Planning Bureau >> The Relocation of the Diet and Other Organizations >> Reports >> Summary of result of public poll conducted in January 1997

on Capital Functions Relocation
by the Prime Minister’s Office

The Prime Minister’s Office conducted a survey on the effect of the capital functions relocation and its problems in January of this year.
(This is the fourth survey following surveys in 1973, 1988, and 1992)

Summary of results

Although the degree of interest and agreement ratio has shown slight decline compared to the 1992 survey, the results show an overall positive position regarding the effect and influence of the capital functions relocation.

In addition, on the question about the issues to be considered for relocating the capital functions, results showed a high interest toward the natural environment and harmony.

Survey results

1. Degree of universal awareness

Approximately 76% (almost the same as results from 1992 survey)

2. Degree of interest

Interested: about 50%, Not interested: about 47% (1992 survey: Interested: about 55%, Not interested: about 43%)

3. Approval

Approval: about 50%, Disapproval: about 20% (1992 survey: Approval: about 60%, Disapproval: about 15%)

Reasons for approval:

1. Solution to land, housing, and traffic problems in Tokyo (about 60%)
2. Encourages other localities to be more independent (about 60%)
3. Need to prepare for large natural disasters such as earthquake (about 40%)
4. Leads to well-balanced development of national land (about 40%)
5. Legislative reform and distribution of power to local level (about 40%)
6. Need to promote deregulation (about 40%)

Reasons for disapproval:

1. Results that match cost cannot be expected (about 60%)
2. Does not solve land and other problems in Tokyo (about 40%)
3. More effective for politics, administration, and businesses to be in central location

4. Effects and impacts from Capital Functions Relocation:

(1) Effects from re-routing of extreme concentration of various functions in Tokyo area
Alleviate rush hours and traffic jams (about 60%)

(2) Effects on earthquake disasters in Tokyo area
Able to prepare evacuation routes and shelters (about 40%)

(3) Relationship to administrative reform
When asked a question on whether to further proceed with administrative reform by relocating the capital functions, the response was as follows:
Yes: about 60%, No: about 20%

(4) Other results

• New transportation system and telecommunications network could be installed between relocation area and each locality (about 80%)
• New concentration around new city at relocation site would occur (about 60%)
• Encourages other localities to be more independent due to changes in structure related to everything being concentrated in Tokyo (about 60%)
• Encourages utilization of newest technologies such as those related to telecommunications and would lead to innovative technologies (about 60%)
• Would lead to economic development due to need for infrastructure investment (about 50%)

5. Issues of focus for creating new city in relocation site:

(1) Focus on environmental issues by utilizing energy saving and recycling technologies, and by creating a harmonious natural environment in the surroundings (about 60%)

(2) Focus on disaster prevention and safety by creating shelter and fire prevention features (about 60%)

6. Positioning and image of Tokyo after Capital Functions Relocation:

International cultural exchange city where people from around the world gather (about 50%)

7. Issues to consider for Capital Functions Relocation:

Achieve harmony with natural environment (about 40%)

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