Summary of Governor Masuzoe's New Year Address to the TMG Employees

On Monday, January 5, 2015, the first day of work in the New Year, Governor Yoichi Masuzoe spoke to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government employees. The following is a summary of his New Year Address.

 

Seventy years after the end of WWII, my thoughts go to our forefathers and their hardships

Happy New Year!
At the start of the New Year, I have renewed my commitment to leave the positive legacies of the Olympics and Paralympics to our children and grandchildren, thereby revitalizing Japan as a whole. I am also resolved to uphold our free and peaceful society, a society that respects fundamental human rights, and to make Japan a country that is even more respected by the world.

Making the 21st century a radiant one

The five years until 2020 present a huge chance, and the last chance, to revive Tokyo and Japan.
There are three points I would like you to uphold during your everyday work.

1. Create an atmosphere in the TMG where everyone can be more open

Rather than making mistakes, it is a more serious offence to hide mistakes or to pretend to not notice things that are inconvenient for you. The situation will just get worse to the point where it cannot be undone. To prevent this from happening, make the organization one in which all necessary information is reported without fail.

2. Engage in work with a broad prospective that looks beyond the framework of the TMG

Never forget the areas in the Tohoku region that were hit by the earthquake and tsunami, and never forget your feelings of appreciation to those in Fukushima and Niigata, which provided us with electricity. Engage in your everyday work while always thinking about what can be done for the prosperity of both Tokyo and the other parts of Japan.
Also, in order to win in the harsh competition with the other large cities of the world, we must raise the value of Tokyo and do everything in our power to implement policies that revitalize Japan. Do not neglect to effectively spread information about Tokyo to the world.

3. Keep in mind that preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics are not just the work of the 2020 Games Preparation Bureau

Fully demonstrate metropolitan government-wide efforts for the successful delivery of the 2020 Games. The same follows for all work you engage in, not just the Olympics and Paralympics.

Work that will be looked back on with pride 50 years and 100 years into the future

To be involved in hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games—the event of the century—and transforming the metropolis of Tokyo are feats that will be looked back on with pride 50 years and 100 years from now. Let us work together at all times to find solutions, no matter how difficult the situation.