3. Steady preparations as an Olympic and Paralympic Games host city

Now I will run through our main policies.

Delivering two successful world sporting events

First I would like to talk about the Rugby World Cup 2019 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Rugby World Cup will also serve as a vital litmus test for the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games. This June, there will be a rugby match at the Ajinomoto Stadium between the national teams of Japan and Scotland. We will use this valuable opportunity to undertake preparations just as if it were the actual world cup, and work to improve management techniques and momentum-building.

Moving on to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, once the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro are over, it will finally be Tokyo’s turn. We will progress steadily with our preparations for the greatest-ever Games. Regarding the permanent facilities for which the metropolitan government is responsible, the other day we selected the contractors for the design and construction of three of them, namely the Olympic Aquatics Center, the Ariake Arena and the Sea Forest Waterway. We are putting before this session our proposed contracts for your deliberation.

In order to ensure the success of these world-class events, our friendly relations with cities overseas are crucial. If people come to like Tokyo, they will want to enjoy the city more, spend more time here, and have a good time here. At the end of this month, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo will be visiting Tokyo. I aim to deepen our friendship with many cities by carrying out city diplomacy and strongly making the case abroad for Tokyo’s attractions.

Last month we held a remembrance event for the Great East Japan Earthquake. I also attended. This opportunity renewed my conviction that Japan’s revival is impossible without the recovery of the affected regions. During the Rio Games, we will set up “live sites” not only in Tokyo but also in the three prefectures affected by the 2011 disaster. Using the Olympic and Paralympic flags we will receive from Rio, we will hold Games-related events and bring the passion and excitement of the Rio Games, as well as anticipation for Tokyo 2020, to these regions.

Progress for disabled sports

Through the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, we will dramatically alter the environment for disabled sports. To guarantee intensive, priority initiatives over the coming four years, we will establish a new 20 billion yen fund for the promotion of disabled sports. We will discover potential athletes and expand support toward matches and training camps held by sports associations. We will also recognize athletes who show promise for the 2020 Games as “Tokyo-connected Paralympic Game Candidates,” and give support to strengthening their capabilities. Regarding venues for disabled sports activities, in addition to carrying out renovations to the disabled sports centers in the 23-ward area and Tama, we will also make use of the sports facilities of Tokyo Metropolitan Special Needs Schools, as well as offering support to the municipalities to make their sports facilities barrier-free.

Our efforts toward a barrier-free environment will go beyond the realm of sports. We will work to eliminate not only the physical barriers, such as significant level differences between sidewalks and roads, but also attitudinal and information barriers faced by disabled people so that Tokyo will have become a comfortable place for all in the years beyond 2020.

Tokyo changing with the Games

Preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games are directly linked to Tokyo’s development as a city.

A city with a culture of volunteerism

The 2020 Games will be taken as an opportunity to establish a culture of volunteerism in our city. Recently we formulated guidelines for building a society where people help each other. Based on these guidelines, we will stimulate social contributions by citizens and enhance their capabilities to find solutions to a range of issues. Regarding the involvement of disabled people in volunteer activities, we will look at examples of activities from Japan and overseas and also begin a study for a support structure within the metropolitan government. I want to look at how we can champion a new approach that sees disabled people as part of the volunteering effort.  For example, we might have a disabled person pair up with an able-bodied person so that when a disabled athlete or visitor arrives, they can effectively offer guidance from the point of view of a disabled person. This is the kind of thing I’m thinking about. We will be working with local embassies and other relevant organizations to prepare an environment facilitating the participation of foreign residents as volunteers. And for the Games, it will be crucial to build a system to manage volunteers, including securing a large number of them. Based on our studies of previous Games, we will formulate strategies for broadening the sphere of Games volunteers and on the management system for city volunteers.

Taking the opportunity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to cultivate talent

It has been decided to call the Olympic and Paralympic education program “Yoi, Don!” (Ready, set, go!). It will be rolled out to all schools in Tokyo from April. In order to become familiar with the Olympic and Paralympic spirit and deeply understand it, an effective way will be to learn through hands-on experience and activities. We will encourage volunteer activities and deepen interest in sports and understanding of disability. And through the Global Friendship Project, by having students learn about many different countries and interact with people from around the world, we will promote mutual understanding. The other day, we had a visit from President Abbas of Palestine. He presented us with a gift of an olive tree—a symbol of peace. We will arrange for it to be planted at an elementary school that will engage with children in Palestine, as a symbol of the long-lasting ties between Tokyo and Palestine. Through such exchanges, I want to spread the thrill of the Olympic and Paralympic Games around Japan, sharing it with children in the disaster-affected prefectures and across the whole country as well.

Regarding cultivation of globally proficient talent, with the aim of establishing the English Village (tentative title) in the waterfront area in fiscal 2018, we will begin soliciting bids from contractors at the end of March, and move forward with preparations, taking into account the ideas and know-how of the private sector. In order to play an active role in the international community, these young people need to be aware of their identity as Japanese and of the spirit of helping others. In that respect, education that instills a sense of human duty and moral value is more important now than ever. From this April, in all metropolitan high schools, we will launch a new subject, unique to the Tokyo metropolitan education system, called “Humans and Society,” which brings ethics and career education together into one. We will bring up individuals who are fully committed to society yet able to make their own life decisions and act accordingly.

Conveying Tokyo’s culture to the world

We also want to ensure the success of Tokyo 2020 as a festival of culture. At the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games, where people from all over the world will gather, we will publicize Tokyo’s arts and culture, by recreating in Rio de Janeiro “leading projects” that have been implemented in Tokyo. Regarding Art Brut, based on studies of the current situation and the opinions of experts, we will look into establishing a center for exhibitions and exchange, and at the same time, hold exhibitions at various venues around Tokyo. Regarding the projected shortage of theaters and halls, we are carrying out a detailed evaluation of the situation and are also seeking opinions directly from organizations in the respective fields. We will consider necessary measures while drawing out efforts by the private sector.