In opening the first regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly in 2016, 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.

1. Tokyo’s forward-thinking initiatives

I am now halfway through my term as Governor of Tokyo.
Having raised the goal to make Tokyo the “world’s best city,” I have worked with the members of this Assembly over the past two years, exchanging views, and considering ways to make Tokyo grow and to better the lives of Tokyo residents. And, I believe that I am now entrusted with the mission of further enhancing these policies and maximizing the results based on our discussions and experiences to date.

The environment surrounding Tokyo

Today, in the early 21st century, Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is carrying more weight in the international community than ever before. The year the last Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, 1964, was the year restrictions on Japanese citizens traveling overseas were lifted. Following this, the number of Japanese citizens going abroad increased year after year, exceeding the number of people entering Japan from overseas. However, last year, these numbers reversed for the first time in 45 years with more inbound than outbound travelers. When the last Games were held, the distance to reach this Far-East island nation and its capital, Tokyo, was cause for concern; but now, Tokyo draws attention and people from around the world.

Times have changed greatly over the last half century. The international community is becoming increasingly borderless and over half of the world’s population now lives in cities. We are in an age where the free movement of people, goods, capital, and information across borders generates value, and cities are engaging in friendly rivalry, competing with each other over their attractions. At the same time, issues faced by cities such as public safety, air pollution, and infectious diseases are extending beyond borders. We must work together to respond to such common issues. In this day and age, it is no longer possible to run a city without being conscious of its connection to the world.

After the Rio Games

This year, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro. I look forward to the amazing performances of the athletes. Meanwhile, as the situation in the Middle East and around the globe becomes more and more turbulent, it is my sincere hope that this “festival of peace” will be a bright ray of light for the world. Incidentally, the tie I am wearing today is a Rio Games necktie.

The Rio Games will be the perfect opportunity to promote Tokyo, the next host city. We will leave a vivid impression of Tokyo and Japan at the Japan House, which will be established in Rio, and also at the handover ceremony where we will receive the Olympic and Paralympic flags. And, with the end of the Rio Games, Tokyo will be the focus of even more attention from around the world.

Tokyo’s grand design

I believe that now is the time to solidify a foundation, across generations, to enable Tokyo to make great progress. We need to promote initiatives that inspire people in the years to come to think, “The amazing Tokyo that we have today is the result of the firm foundation they built for us then.” This can only be accomplished now, in the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Games. There is no other time. Without a doubt, we are standing at a crucial point in history.

In order to clearly set forth the future direction for Tokyo as it evolves, studies are underway to formulate Tokyo’s Grand Design, our vision for Tokyo in the 2040s. After compiling a plan for urban development, we will incorporate this into the formulation of a comprehensive grand design for Tokyo.

Following the Great Kanto Earthquake, which devastated Tokyo in 1923, Shinpei Goto created a vision for Tokyo that had great foresight. Despite being in a state of emergency, he formulated a grand plan for recovery that outlined a future vision for the capital. As you all know, this led to the creation of Tokyo’s road network, including major arteries such as Showa-dori Avenue, which runs north-south, and Yasukuni-dori Avenue, which runs east-west. Compared to the state of emergency that existed then, in the present day, we face a different type of challenge in forming a future vision for Tokyo while ensuring seamless urban activities. Even so, in designing this plan, we should not approach it as only an extension of the present; we must also incorporate ideals and hopes and dreams. This is because the plan will serve both as a goal for those in the coming years to achieve and a source of vitality.

A city where people can enjoy comfortable lives in an environment that is safe and reassuring. A city where kindness abounds and anyone can lead active lives. A city people around the world aspire to visit or even make their home. I believe it very important that we clarify our vision for Tokyo as a city that is evolving into one offering universal value.

Safety and security are key to Tokyo’s growth

Ensuring safety and security is key to furthering the development of Tokyo.
Soon, five years will have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. And, in the years that followed, disasters such as river flooding, sediment disasters, and volcanic eruptions have occurred one after another. In Tokyo as well, there were disasters such as landslides on Oshima Island and damage caused by heavy snowfall in the mountains of the Tama area. We will steadily take steps to prepare for natural disasters. Through an effective combination of the three strengths of self-help, mutual help, and assistance from public agencies, we will build a strong city in which damage will be kept to a minimum if a disaster strikes.

Paris and Jakarta, both friendship cities of Tokyo, were victims of terrorist attacks. The great paradox of the international community is that while economic ties grow stronger on one hand, on the other, the psychological gap, animosity, and ruptures deepen. As the city attracts growing attention as one of the world’s leading cities and as the host of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tokyo cannot consider itself immune from this situation. We will definitely strengthen preparations.

Social participation by all will drive Tokyo’s growth

The driving force behind Tokyo’s growth will be the social participation of each and every citizen of Tokyo and Japan. Preparing an environment where people can fully demonstrate their abilities and shine will lead to growth of the city. We will do all possible to support the social participation of women, senior citizens, and the disabled. I believe that by advancing reform of work styles and increasing work productivity, more time will become available for personal pursuits to make lives more fulfilling overall. For example, there is the four-day workweek concept. By realizing work-life balance, we will achieve both sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life.

Amid these circumstances, I am very concerned over the issue of the cycle of poverty and growing inequality. If we do not break the cycle of poverty, in other words, remove this barrier that cannot be overcome by individual effort alone, we cannot hope for active participation in society by all. It is also necessary to provide individuals who have fallen on hard times with opportunities to try again. Here and now, we will deal with factors that could have a negative effect on future growth, and aim to realize a society where affluence can be felt by all.

Enhancing local potential

I believe that one more key to Tokyo’s growth is to enhance the potential of local communities. We cannot take the same approach to all areas of Tokyo. It is crucial that we build a city brimming with diversity. The 23 special wards, Tama area, and islands that make up Tokyo each radiate their own charms. And, within those areas, each community has its own local color. Developing those strengths will raise the overall power of the city. If we are resourceful, we can discover new strengths and even turn weaknesses into strong points. For instance, if we effectively use “vacant houses,” which have recently become an issue, as stock for the city, these properties can also help revitalize an area. I look forward to supporting the efforts of municipalities in Tokyo and other local efforts to bring out the potential of communities, and effectively linking these together.

The 2020 Games as a catalyst to speed up growth

By delivering a successful Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I hope to make the year 2020 a major turning point that will spark accelerated growth in Tokyo in the years to follow. In a recent report released by the Bank of Japan, the economic impact of the Tokyo 2020 Games is estimated to be as high as 30 trillion yen. However, we will not let it end there. We will make maximum use of the precious time that remains until 2020, and raise that value even further.

We will create high added value by preparing an environment friendly to global business in order to attract foreign companies and by also triggering innovation in Japanese companies. We will show the world Tokyo and Japan’s cutting-edge technologies and demonstrate their capabilities. We will develop tourism into a major industry and have all visitors enjoy the sophisticated charm of Tokyo as a city of water and a city that blends tradition and innovation. The more boldly we develop our growth strategy, the greater the ripple effect from the Games will be. We will lead the rebirth of Japan from Tokyo and create new wealth in doing so.

Aiming to become a comfortable, mature society

Building on the premise of safety and security, we will prepare an environment where people can easily participate in society. Through this, I aim to realize a comfortable, mature society as part of the grand legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Games. The last Tokyo Games, held in 1964, aimed at promoting rapid economic growth, and were a “growth” Olympics, so to speak. Along with economic affluence, however, this growth also generated urban problems such as traffic congestion and environmental issues. The 2020 Games will aim to achieve an even higher level of “maturity” for Tokyo. The legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will determine the core values of Tokyo and Japan after the Games. We will do whatever it takes to make the Tokyo 2020 Games a success, and realize Tokyo as the “best city in the world.” I hope to improve the total quality of life for Tokyo residents so that they can lead “real” lives, not only at work and home, but in all respects. We will enhance Tokyo to become a city where residents can enjoy comfortable, fulfilling lives within an environment that is always moving dynamically.

Tokyo is now a world-leading metropolis that stands its ground in competition with London, New York, and Paris. With its comprehensive power as a city, Tokyo has the strength to be a major player in the international community. We will further raise this comprehensive power and compete squarely with other cities. I believe that this is where Tokyo stands in the 21st century.