3. A city where each individual takes center stage to demonstrate the full power of people

We will build a society where each individual takes center stage. This includes not just children, but everyone, regardless of age, gender, or whether or not they have a disability.

Fully supporting the empowerment of women

We want all women to be able to fully demonstrate their abilities and shine in their own way. To achieve this, Tokyo must continue to change. For example, I believe that society's awareness of health issues unique to women is still insufficient. In addition to promoting understanding within companies to create a comfortable work environment, we will also nurture the budding growth of FemTech for technology-based solutions to such problems. In addition, in order to overcome various barriers to women's empowerment, such as the so-called "salary barrier" and the "glass ceiling," a newly established expert panel will hold fundamental discussions that start from the social structure, for a dramatic strengthening of measures. We will also significantly strengthen the TMG’s organization to promote these measures so that we can support women to shine in various settings, including large company workplaces.

Acknowledge differences. Diversity gives birth to power

Respecting each other's differences and building a society full of diversity where everyone can play an active role. With this in mind, Tokyo was the first local government in Japan to establish a system based on an ordinance for the spread of social firms, which are creating employment for many people with disabilities. Society as a whole must firmly support those who wish to live independently, but, for various reasons, face difficulties in finding employment. Some people with developmental disabilities, for example, possess exceptional concentration and analytical skills. Such diverse characteristics will be respected and significantly demonstrated in fields such as IT, where they can contribute to innovations. Known as neurodiversity, we will enlarge this trend, and through trial employment and other opportunities, expand places where people with disabilities can play active role.

A society that enables senior citizens to lead vibrant lives

It will be essential to advance the creation of social infrastructure to become a mature city where the elderly can lead vibrant lives.

We will promote the introduction of "scientific long-term care," such as by supporting businesses that provide effective care based on objective data on matters such as physical functions, and promote DX at long-term care facilities to realize a comfortable work environment, and will have such efforts also lead to the securing of long-term care personnel. The elderly can also make their own lives more convenient and comfortable by making better use of digital tools. We will provide detailed support for senior citizens who are uncomfortable with smartphones by establishing easily accessible places where they can casually consult and interact with smartphone supporters recruited from among the residents of Tokyo.

Securing housing is also a prerequisite for an abundant life. We will upgrade the support measures of the housing safety-net system, Tokyo Sasaeru, and promote the development of an environment for rental housing that elderly people and others who need consideration can feel safe using.

Improved systems for health care is essential for people to lead healthy lives and age in place. In response to cardiovascular disease, which is the largest cause for requiring long-term care, new “heart failure support” hospitals will be established to strengthen the system of cooperation between medical and long-term care in the community. In addition, we will firmly respond to the increasing need for home medical care such as by building online consultation systems and 24-hour consultation systems, while deepening cooperation between family doctors and medical institutions making home visits.

Letting everyone shine through the power of sports

Through the power of sports, we will build an environment where everyone can shine. With the opening of the Tokyo Aquatics Centre this April, all of the new permanent facilities that were built on the occasion of the Tokyo 2020 Games will be open for business operations. Next month, the Para Sports Training Center will open in the Ajinomoto Stadium as a base for improving Para sports competitiveness. By leveraging the diverse and distinguishing features of each of the facilities, we will create an abundant society in which sports are an integral part of everyday life. It also goes without saying that we will take the opportunity of hosting the World Championships in Athletics and the Deaflympics in 2025 to ensure an even more inclusive society. We will build a city that is friendly to everyone through various efforts, including fostering human resources who can communicate through sign language, enhancing education for understanding disabilities, and, moreover, the diffusion of new communication technologies that utilize digital technology.

A former executive of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee was arrested the other day concerning an operations contract ordered by the Organising Committee. It is truly regrettable that such an incident has arisen. We have informed the liquidation corporation for the Organising Committee to continue cooperating fully with the investigation. At the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, we are already conducting an investigation, mainly by outside experts, into the governance and management of the Organising Committee. As I have said many times before, there is nothing more important in hosting an international competition than gaining the trust of the people of Tokyo and Japan. For the events in 2025, while also following the guidelines for Tokyo's involvement that were formulated at the end of last year, we will advance preparations to ensure their transparency and fairness.