In opening the fourth regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly in 2015, I wish to relate my basic stance on future metropolitan administration, and seek the understanding and cooperation of the members of this Assembly and the people of Tokyo.

Yesterday, on November 30, Honorable Citizen, Mr. Shigeru Mizuki, passed away. I would like to express my sincerest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

A series of terrorist attacks occurred in Paris last month. I pray for all the victims and express my sincere condolences to their families. I would like to express my heartfelt solidarity with the people of Paris, a friendship city of Tokyo, and the people of France. Such acts of terrorism cannot be tolerated. In Tokyo, we will put forth our utmost efforts into fortifying counterterrorism measures to guard the lives and assets of the residents.

1. Toward the further development of Tokyo and Japan

Prime Minister Abe’s third Cabinet, which was formed in October, launched a new set of “three arrows”: a strong economy, support for child rearing, and social security. This strategy takes the same direction as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s (TMG) policy of balancing economic growth and the quality of life. When I recently met Prime Minister Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga, we agreed that the central government and the TMG will join forces to develop ideas and advance policy measures. I am certain that for the Tokyo government, which is directly engaged in administrative services, to take the lead in implementing innovative policies is what will open a bright future for all of Japan.

Last month, the TMG released its Comprehensive Strategy. We do not see the concept of revitalizing local economies as a confrontation between urban areas and rural areas but believe that both areas should join hands to stimulate Japan. Sustainable growth of the entire country can only be achieved through the coexistence and co-prosperity of Tokyo and the rest of Japan. The TMG’s Comprehensive Strategy contains a number of initiatives to be jointly conducted with other local governments, such as those for industry promotion and tourism promotion, as well as those for taking the opportunity of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games for regional revitalization. In addition, we will help revitalize Japan by making its capital, Tokyo, an even more global city, and will also squarely grapple with the issue of the aging and shrinking population. Based on this strategy, we will work to strongly draw out the potential power of this country.

Urging the abolition of the irrational tax measures

When there are developments blocking Tokyo’s efforts to deepen its relations with other local governments and fulfill its role of contributing to the progress of the entire country, I have no choice but to lodge a protest. The irrational measures which the national government introduced in the name of correcting uneven distribution of tax resources not only go against the principles of taxation, but ignore the fact that a tremendous amount of revenue is necessary for the TMG to fulfill its responsibilities. These measures inhibit the growth of Tokyo and incite a sense of confrontation between large cities and rural areas. The special local corporation tax must be abolished, of course, and we shall firmly object to measures such as turning a larger portion of the corporate inhabitant tax into a national tax, as this would result in a reduction of TMG tax revenue by as much as 580 billion yen a year.

As the central government is preparing for its fiscal 2016 tax reform, this is a critical time for us. I recently met Yoichi Miyazawa, chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on the Tax System, and asserted Tokyo’s position. Last month, I visited Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Takaichi, along with members of the Association of the 23-Special Ward Mayors, the Tokyo Association of Mayors, the Tokyo Town & Village Association, and other local governments holding the same beliefs, to strongly make our demand. We are also requesting National Diet members from Tokyo for support on this matter. In addition, the TMG’s Research Commission on the Tax System also sees the abolition of these irrational measures as an urgent task, and it recently submitted a report to me, which stated the necessity of increasing local tax revenue sources as a whole. To protect the interests of Tokyo citizens, together with the members of this Assembly I will do all possible up to the very last second.