6. Bringing vitality to the Tama area and Tokyo islands

Three hundred days have passed since I took office as governor. During that time, I have actively visited the Tama area and Tokyo islands. At a workshop on the future of the Tama area held last month, I had the opportunity to see members of the community discuss the area’s future and was able to sense the local community’s enthusiasm for Tama to make even greater progress. While incorporating such sentiments into the Tama development plan that we will compile this summer, we will do all we can to contribute to the further development of Tama together with the people of the area.

Ten nature parks are located in the Tama area and Tokyo islands. The combined area of these parks accounts for about 36 percent of the entire area of the Tokyo Metropolis. Last month, we formulated the Tokyo Nature Park Vision, the first such comprehensive vision for nature parks in the country, to develop an environment that allows everyone to experience the magnificence of these areas of nature while firmly protecting them. While working with private businesses to fully demonstrate the potential of nature parks -- assets that belong to the people of Tokyo -- including promoting the value and attraction of the parks to many people in Japan and abroad, we will also link these efforts to further enhance the appeal of Tokyo, centering on the Tama area and Tokyo islands.

On the 20th of this month, we will open the Tokyo Tourist Information Center Tama in Tachikawa, the first in the Tama area. We will also support “matchmaking tours,” where men and women looking to get married go around the Tokyo islands by ferry, so that the tours can be operated this summer. Acting from the standpoint of adding new value to the shining “treasures” of each area -- the rich natural surroundings, local resources, unique products, and more -- and enhancing these treasures to become appealing “brands” that attract people, and tying this into the creation of jobs as well, we hope to generate vitality in the Tama area and Tokyo islands and make Tokyo even more vibrant.