Why navies handle capital-city ship names carefully

Why was the second Yamato-class ship not named Kyoto, and might a capital ship ever carry that name?

The exact reason is uncertain. Provincial naming conventions and concern over the symbolism of a loss are suggested explanations, with no definite prediction about future use of Kyoto.

The precise reason Kyoto was not chosen is uncertain. Japanese capital-ship names usually referred to provinces, and Musashi's connection with the Tokyo area makes a direct comparison with city names misleading. Fear of the political impact of losing a nationally symbolic ship is one suggested explanation, with Deutschland used as a comparison. The same concern is applied to the Royal Navy's intermittent use of London. Placing Edinburgh and London late in the Type 26 program is interpreted as political protection for the order, since canceling those names would attract conspicuous headlines.