1. Introduction

Tokyo and Japan’s growth must not be stopped

This year, which also marks the 150th anniversary of the renaming of Edo to Tokyo, is nearing an end. And, Tokyo is looking to take new steps into the future. Seizing this opportunity, we must remind ourselves again of the role Tokyo must play as Japan’s capital.

Recently, a debate regarding how Tokyo, the capital, should be, is playing out again. This argument makes it seem as though Tokyo’s concentration of resources is the main obstacle standing in the way of revitalization of rural areas. In the case of the United Kingdom, however, although the global financial crisis sent the country’s economy into stagnation, through investment to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and other efforts, London’s strengths and attractiveness as a city greatly improved, and the economic effects spread to rural areas as well, facilitating an early recovery of the country’s economy. Years later, London continues to drive the economy for the steady growth of the U.K. As pointed out in the report issued by the Committee to Consider Japan and Tokyo’s Growth, which members of each metropolitan assembly faction also participated in, London is “an excellent example of how development of the capital and strengthening of international competitiveness contributed to economic growth of the entire country.” I believe that this is exactly the model Tokyo and Japan should follow.

With trade friction between the United States and China and other factors in the background, uncertainty with respect to the global economy is now growing, including the International Monetary Fund lowering its growth forecast for the first time in two years and three months. Japan’s latest GDP preliminary estimates show negative growth. While seen as a temporary setback by some, if you consider the unstable economic situation overseas, the situation certainly does not warrant optimism. Furthermore, the further aging and decline of the population makes it even more crucial for the national government to not stop Japan’s growth by taking away power from Tokyo, which has been the driving force behind Japan’s economy.

Doing what needs to be done as Japan’s capital

With such a crisis approaching, Tokyo will make strengthening its “earning potential” its mission as the capital, and while working toward the creation of a mutually beneficial environment for all areas of Japan, we will guide the progress of the country. To achieve this end, we must build an environment where anyone can demonstrate their abilities with the support of person-to-person connections and enhance the dynamism of Tokyo, including raising productivity by promoting work style reform, advancing the participation of women in society through means such as eliminating child daycare waiting lists, and providing support for senior citizens and the disabled so that they can work in ways that satisfy their hopes and ambitions. And, we must not only protect the safety and peace of mind of Tokyo citizens, but also strengthen Tokyo’s functions as the capital and Japan’s political and economic nerve center by further advancing disaster preparedness programs and measures to combat climate change to enhance the city’s ability to handle large-scale earthquakes, as well as torrential rain and extreme heat, which are becoming more severe with each passing year. In addition, there are an endless number of measures that need to be advanced so that Tokyo can continue fueling Japan’s growth, including implementing growth strategies to enable Tokyo to win in cutthroat global competition, as well as bolstering the transportation and distribution network that supports such efforts.

These are precisely the initiatives that need to be taken to realize the “Safe City,” “Diversity” (Diverse City), and “Smart City” I aim to create. Concerning the Action Plan for 2020, which sets forth the path to creating these “three cities,” we are currently working to further strengthen policies to accurately respond to changes in society and give shape to the new strategies set forth in the Key Policy Directions 2018. And, concerning the Reform Plan for 2020, which aims to achieve functional and effective policy implementation, through “reform to make metropolitan administration more visible,” we have mostly completed overhauls and evaluations of each the TMG bureau’s main programs, and are now at the stage of concretely implementing reforms based on these evaluations. To thoroughly ensure program implementation and wise spending from the perspective of “putting the citizens of Tokyo first,” we will continue to advance reform without letting up. In another area of metropolitan administration reform, we will advance service improvements at parks, zoos, and other facilities used by many Tokyo citizens by taking their perspectives. We will also re-examine how extra-governmental organizations should be as members of the TMG group, and promote initiatives for strategic use of these entities.

We will do what needs to be done for Tokyo and its people, as well as for all of Japan as the nation’s capital. Please allow me to reiterate that this is my basic stance on metropolitan administration.

The power of local autonomies will realize true revitalization of local economies

This is exactly why we absolutely cannot allow a revision of the tax system that targets Tokyo. Tokyo, which serves as the engine that drives Japan’s economy, must continue to make effective investments, including upgrades to infrastructure, which contribute to the revitalization of all of Japan. Tokyo’s elderly population will reach 3,240,000 by 2025, increasing by 160,000 in just the next seven years. Since growth of this segment of the population will occur on an unprecedented scale, as well as at an unprecedented speed, we must also steadily work on measures to enable senior citizens to live with peace of mind. With an eye to such a future for Tokyo, the TMG has established sound financial management through constant review, including securing about 160 billion yen in fiscal resources over the past two years by conducting thorough program reviews. The act of targeting Tokyo’s fiscal resources, which are indeed the product of effort, will strip away Tokyo’s earning potential and have negative results for all of Japan as well. It also belittles the efforts taken by local governments for fiscal reform.

Of course, Tokyo does not object to the importance of revitalizing rural areas extolled by the central government. However, if Japan is to pursue the true revitalization of rural areas, shouldn’t the local tax and finance system be reformed and the authority and fiscal resources of local autonomies be expanded so that all regions, including Tokyo, can use their intrinsic powers to revitalize their communities based on the actual situation in their area and the voices of the people who live there?

A strong point of local government is its ability to channel the voices of residents, who generate the area’s vitality, into effective measures. For example, the TMG has also created a system that allows Tokyo citizens and university researchers to submit proposals for programs ahead of drawing up the budget. We are also engaged in efforts such as holding regular meetings with universities with the aim of finding solutions to various problems Tokyo faces. We will fully utilize the power of local government to join together with residents, pool knowledge, and demonstrate this strength. Only by fully leveraging the strengths of local autonomies can we achieve revitalization of local economies that create vibrant communities, as well as sustainable growth for Japan based on that revitalization.

All regions prospering together will power Japan’s sustainable growth

From such standpoints, Tokyo will work together with other regions of Japan to find the best way to achieve true local revitalization, and by working to achieve coprosperity through utilizing our respective characteristics and strengths, we will aim to grow the pie that is Japan’s economy. Tokyo has been implementing a range of concrete initiatives to realize mutually beneficial and prosperous relations with all areas of Japan, including expanding contracting opportunities related to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) nationwide, establishing tourism routes linking Tokyo to areas across Japan, and collaborating with antenna shops in Tokyo to promote the attractions of various regions. One example of such initiatives is the Japan Association of Governors project team that I proposed and established to promote the use of timber harvested in Japan. The activities of the team are currently being advanced by 45 prefectures. I would like to take the opportunities provided by such initiatives to again share our strong resolve with local autonomies nationwide that “it is local autonomies that will build dynamic local communities using their own authority and fiscal resources and drive the growth of Japan.”

Recently, I met with many high-level government officials and politicians from governing and opposition parties to explain Tokyo’s views on the local tax and financial system. Last month, along with compiling Tokyo’s views on the matter and widely promoting this stance, I have asserted our firm opposition to the current review of the tax system through an “all-Tokyo” formation made up of members of this Assembly and the Tokyo municipalities, and the collaboration of others, including Osaka Prefecture, by submitting new requests with high-ranking members of the ruling party’s Tax System Study Commission and other Diet members. Tokyo’s growth, and that of Japan, must definitely not be stopped. Although the debate on the tax system is drawing to a close, we want the central government to make a wise decision that gives due consideration to Japan’s future.