Open city

In war, an open city is a settlement which has announced it has abandoned all defensive efforts, generally in the event of the imminent capture of the city to avoid destruction.

[1] The intent is to protect the city's civilians and cultural landmarks from a battle which may be futile.

[2] In some cases, the declaration of a city to be open is made by a side on the verge of defeat and surrender; in other cases, those making such a declaration are willing and able to fight on, but prefer that the specific city be spared.

Often, resistance movements will be active in open cities, straining the temperate conduct of the occupying forces.

[16] This was rejected by nearly all of Japan's political parties and the ruling government as inherently absurd, since Japan was not in a war, and in the event of war such a decision would have to be approved by the national government.