4. Opening the way to a bright future

With only one month remaining in the year, I feel the Rugby World Cup 2019 and Tokyo 2020 Games drawing closer by the minute.

Although we will sometimes run into difficulties, I look forward to cooperating with everyone involved and overcoming each issue that arises. As the city awarded the honor of consecutively hosting two enormous projects of national importance, we must boost the momentum of not only Tokyo, but the entire country, and clear the path to the bright future beyond. While working closely with you, the members of this Assembly, I will devote all of my efforts to achieve this.

Finally, I would like to speak about the construction of the new national stadium.

The new national stadium is extremely important as the main stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Games where the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, and other events will be held. It is crucial that the stadium be constructed without interfering with preparations or the actual delivery of the Games.

As the governor of the host city, all along, I have expressed my complete support for the development of the new national stadium. At the meetings with relevant cabinet ministers on the review of the stadium construction plans, I have actively stated Tokyo’s views on the subject, including that the stadium be constructed from an “athletes first” perspective, that consideration be given to the facility’s post-Games legacy, and that the facility blends in with the development of the surrounding area, and a plan reflecting these points has been formulated. Currently, the central government is responsibly moving forward with development based on this plan. And, it is expected that the design and construction consortium for the new stadium will be decided within the month.

Once completed, the stadium will serve as the heart of excitement for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and then as a center for the promotion of sports for the citizens of Tokyo, becoming a fixture of the Jingu forest for many years to come. In addition, I believe that the legacies left by the stadium will symbolize the Tokyo 2020 Games. The world’s best universal design, enhancement of the environment in the Meiji Jingu Gaien area, and strengthening of the area’s disaster resilience, will be in the various interests of the citizens of Tokyo and will also generate a sense of pride in having a world-class sporting venue located in the center of the city.

With regard to funding the costs of construction, at the request of the central government, the TMG and central government have held a series of working-level reviews and discussions on the matter. Today, I met with Toshiaki Endo, Minister in Charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Hiroshi Hase, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and I agreed to the funding proposal presented, which was based on considerations of current and future benefit to the citizens of Tokyo. Of the 158.1 billion yen in projected construction costs subject to division, it is proposed that the TMG bear one-quarter of the costs, an amount of around 39.5 billion yen. In addition, the TMG will responsibly deal with matters under its jurisdiction such as the development of roads and parks in the area. And, any necessary legal measures will be taken at the national level. I hope that this funding proposal will be thoroughly deliberated by the members of this Assembly, who represent the people of Tokyo.

I will continue to provide my total support for the steady development of facilities and ensure the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games as the best-ever Olympic and Paralympic Games. Your continued understanding and support would be highly appreciated.

Including the matters to which I have already referred, a total of 95 proposals including 32 ordinance bills and 12 proposed contracts have been presented to this regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly to be deliberated among the Assembly members.

This concludes my policy address to the Assembly. Thank you.