7. Closing remarks

Disputes continuing around the world, the climate crisis, and COVID-19. Humanity is now facing global-scale difficulties. While sometimes showing glimpses of putting themselves first, each country is searching for multilateral cooperation that goes beyond the conventional framework in various fields such as economy and defense. The world is at a historical turning point as movements such as normalization of socioeconomic activities, which look toward the post-COVID era, accelerate even more.

In this new era of deepening confusion, a nation’s competitiveness is determined by the power of its cities where people gather and are the center of businesses and people’s daily lives. The presence of a city that is the world’s city of choice is the driving force for nationwide growth and fulfilling lives. And in Japan, no city other than the capital, Tokyo, can take on this role. Tokyo has significantly raised its global credibility by successfully hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Using this to our advantage, we will continue to grow as a city that attracts talent, goods, money and information, and using this pool of diverse resources, is always generating innovation. It is also the mission of Tokyo to cooperate with regions across Japan to be a powerful driving force for the development of our country.

In order to achieve this, we must build a truly mature society that remains firm in the face of crisis and has no barriers of any kind, and draw out the power of each individual to the maximum. Now that the 2020 Games are over, I am determined to build a Tokyo that has achieved a balance between maturity and ongoing growth and where everyone shines. I ask for the understanding and cooperation of the assembly and of the people of Tokyo.

Including the matters to which I have already referred, a total of 36 bills, including two budget bills and 18 ordinance bills, 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.