6. Closing remarks

As British political philosopher Edmund Burke said, “Difficulty is a severe instructor.” I think that the declining population, super-aging of society, and other unprecedented difficulties facing Tokyo suggest that we need to boldly alter the form of metropolitan administration. We must look squarely at the difficulties and strongly advance our reform and policies with a sense of crisis, without being bound to precedent. The road before us is not easy, but it is this “grand reform of Tokyo” that can open a bright future for Tokyo. With this in mind, I will firmly advance the affairs of the metropolitan government while having productive discussions with the members of this Assembly. I am truly dedicated to this, and am committing myself to metropolitan administration. Your understanding and cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Including the matters to which I have already referred, a total of 70 proposals have been presented to this regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, including 32 proposed ordinances and 11 proposed contracts, to be deliberated among the Assembly members.

This concludes my policy address to the Assembly. Thank you.