Happy New Year!

This year is a watershed year for our country as we welcome in a new era in May. Over the 150 years since our city was renamed from Edo, Tokyo has advanced through the Meiji, Taisho, Showa and Heisei eras. While reflecting on our city’s history, I am determined to continue dedicating my full efforts to ensure a brilliant future for you, the residents of Tokyo, and moreover, to achieve Tokyo’s prosperous coexistence with the other regions of this country for the development of Japan as a whole.

Last year we enacted a number of ordinances to promote the further transformation of Tokyo in order to prepare our city for this new age. These included the Ordinance to Prevent Passive Smoking, which gives priority to the health of the residents of Tokyo; the Ordinance to Promote Understanding of and Prohibit Discrimination Against People With Impairments, which contributes to the realization of an inclusive society; the Ordinance Seeking Realization of the Principle of Respect for Human Rights Outlined in the Olympic Charter, to spread the principle of respect for human rights; and the Ordinance for Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Microenterprises, which sets forth the basic principles for promotion of such companies. By continuing to broadly implement policies that will allow all those who live and work in Tokyo to shine vibrantly, we will together open up a bright future for Tokyo.

The Rugby World Cup 2019^TM will finally be held in September. Following the opening Japan vs. Russia match at the Tokyo Stadium, exciting matches between the world’s top level teams will play out in 12 cities around Japan for about a month and a half. The outstanding performance of the Japanese team at the last Rugby World Cup in London is still fresh in our memories. With high hopes for even more exciting results, I will work to substantially elevate “rugby fever” in Tokyo.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 are also fast approaching. Steady advancements are being made in preparations for the Games, such as construction of the competition venues and creation of enthusiasm for the Games. On a par with the athletes as the main actors of the Games are the volunteers. We received many applications for volunteers who will be the face of host city Tokyo. We will strive to not only deliver a successful Games, but to also build a legacy that will ensure Tokyo’s sustainable growth and further maturity. These include initiatives to advance universal design through preparations for the Games and to promote workstyle reform. We will be sure to make every day count.

I wish you a radiant year full of happiness.

January 1, 2019

Yuriko Koike
Governor of Tokyo