8. Dedicate efforts for development of the Tama area and Tokyo’s islands

Based on the Tama Area Promotion Plan and suggestions made by the Tokyo Treasure Islands Promotion Committee, we will accelerate our efforts to revitalize the Tama area and Tokyo’s islands. To further support the local municipalities’ regional development efforts, we are increasing the TMG’s comprehensive subsidy for cities, towns, and villages and allocating a portion to measures promoted jointly by the TMG and municipalities, such as those for addressing childcare waiting lists and spreading the use of electric vehicles. Last week, I met separately with each of the mayors of all cities, towns, and villages in Tokyo to exchange opinions. Based on the outcome of the meetings, we will continue to devote ourselves to the development of the Tama area and islands, which are home to 4 million people, by seeking to fully understand the challenges faced by each municipality and deepening cooperation in addressing cross-municipal issues.

This year marks the 50th year since the reversion of the Ogasawara Islands from the United States to Japan. We will conduct various events to commemorate this occasion. In addition, with the aim of enhancing the appeal of Tokyo’s islands, we will support the branding of tourism resources by sending experts and other means, and also help create new tourism businesses such as glamping (a portmanteau of “glamorous camping”), which has become popular in recent years. By exploring and bringing to light the attractive features that each island can be proud of and promoting them widely, we will turn Tokyo’s islands into “treasure islands” that fascinate and draw many visitors.