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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, and Indonesian leader Joko "Jokowi" Widodo see relocating their capitals as a solution to multiple problems. (Nikkei Montage/Reuters)
Asia Insight

Duterte and Jokowi seek new capitals to solve old cities' woes

Gridlock and smog plague Manila and Jakarta as inequality worsens

MIKHAIL FLORES and SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writers | Philippines

MANILA/JAKARTA -- Jolu Bunda spends up to four hours a day commuting to and from his job as a bank manager in Metro Manila. He leaves for work by 5 a.m. to beat the worst of the Philippine capital's notorious rush-hour traffic, and he makes sure to leave the office as soon as his shift ends 12 hours later.

"It's stressful, but I make it a point to leave work on time to find a good seat on the bus," he said. "I'm wary of nights out. As much as possible, I need to be home and asleep by 10 p.m."

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