1. Tokyo’s disaster preparedness and environmental measures

Ensuring the capital is completely prepared

We will make all possible preparations to keep Tokyo safe. In line with this resolve, we will advance the creation of a disaster resilient city through efforts such as making buildings seismic resistant, improving areas with close-set wooden houses, promoting the removal of utility poles, and taking regional storm and flood control measures. In addition, we will also work to raise disaster preparedness capabilities through a combination of self-help, mutual help, and public assistance.

Furthermore, considering the increasing severity of recent disasters, we conducted an emergency overhaul of all measures for disasters, including storms, floods, and earthquakes, and recently announced the results of that review. As examples of measures to be enhanced, we will now promote the expansion of the use of timelines that set forth in a chronological format the actions municipalities and residents should take when a disaster strikes to help facilitate appropriate evacuation, as well as study the construction of new regulating reservoirs. Concerning block walls at risk of collapsing like the wall that tragically collapsed on an elementary school student during the Northern Osaka Prefecture Earthquake, we will give first priority to removing block walls at metropolitan owned facilities that line designated school routes. Additionally, at some facilities, we will install fences that use timber harvested in Japan, including Tama timber, on a trial basis. And, we will steadily work to speed up and improve disaster preparedness programs, including measures for sediment disasters and power outages when a disaster occurs, as well as enhanced dissemination of information to foreign nationals, based on the results of the review.

Taking the opportunity presented by the trial installation of wooden fences, we established a framework within the TMG to study and encourage greater overall use of Japanese timber, and receiving the support of the Japan Association of Governors, a large-scale project team was also launched with the participation of 41 prefectures. This November, we will invite about 5,000 people to attend a national forest conservation event that Tokyo is hosting for the first time. We hope to use such opportunities to promote the appeal of and boost demand for Japanese timber, and have this lead to afforestation measures to renew Japan’s forests which are also extremely valuable from a disaster prevention standpoint.

Through collaboration with private companies, we were also able to quickly deliver liquid baby formula to areas affected by recent natural disasters in Okayama, Ehime, and Hokkaido prefectures. Our past efforts to urge the national government to take action regarding liquid baby formula have succeeded. With the establishment of standards and regulations for the formula last month, the product can now be manufactured and sold in Japan. I am certain that this will lead to added peace of mind for those raising small children. In the spirit of “Always be prepared,” we will continue to implement detailed measures, and evolve Tokyo’s disaster management measures in both hard and soft aspects.

Promoting measures for the environment

Measures to combat climate change cannot wait

It has been suggested that global warming played a role in the extreme heat on par with a natural disaster and record-breaking torrential rain and frequent typhoons that Japan experienced this summer. Whether from the standpoint of realizing a “Smart City” or realizing a “Safe City,” measures to combat climate change can no longer be postponed.

As part of such endeavors, we have launched an initiative that aims to offset all CO₂ emissions in Tokyo for the four days of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. We, as the host city, will also cooperate with the Organising Committee’s efforts aimed at offsetting all CO₂ emissions produced by the Games. I look forward to showing the world a Tokyo, that works to become a zero-emissions city with the businesses that support these initiatives through public-private partnership. Concerning zero-emission vehicles that do not emit CO₂, we will support the wide spread use of these vehicles through means such as establishing new subsidies to encourage businesses to purchase electric motorcycles.

Measures that protect lives from extreme heat are also essential. Specifically, protecting children, whose body temperature regulation functions are not yet fully developed, and students is a pressing issue as they are more susceptible to heat stroke. Although the TMG has been promoting the installation of air conditioning systems at schools, we will continue working on additional measures to address heat at schools.

Raising awareness of the mottainai concept

To enhance the effects of measures aimed at making Tokyo a zero-emissions city, we must raise awareness among the citizens of Tokyo regarding the concept of mottainai, which means “too precious to waste.” Through the activities of “Team Mottainai” that we launched last month in collaboration with businesses, NGOs, and others, we will encourage each and every Tokyo resident to adopt eco-friendly behaviors, such as reducing food waste and using energy efficiently.

With respect to single-use plastics, which are contributing to ocean pollution, development of measures is accelerating around the world. As an example of such measures, we are currently inviting the public to submit ideas that lead to a reduction in the use of plastic straws. Through such efforts, I hope to raise momentum for efforts to curb plastic straw use. Last month, I asked the Tokyo Metropolitan Council on Waste to consider ways to greatly reduce the use of these single-use plastics for which little need exists. We will study policies the TMG should advance, while also taking into consideration the introduction of ordinances to promote such measures.