6. Closing remarks

On November 8, an international gymnastics meet was held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium. At this first international match of an Olympic sport held in Japan during the coronavirus pandemic we were able to again experience the bonds formed with sports when the top athletes from four nations united the venue with powerful and skilled performances. A fully-automated scoring system using AI, which was developed by a Japanese firm, was used for the first time at this meet, providing an opportunity for the pride of Japanese technology to be shown to the world. I have the deepest respect for the staff who obtained the cooperation of the athletes for daily PCR tests and restrictions on their movements, mask wearing, and more, while doing everything in their power to run a safe and secure event. The success of this event truly befitting its name, “Friendship and Solidarity,” was a huge support for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Domestic meets for para-sports such as cycling, wheelchair marathons, and equestrian have been held as we steadily bring back large-scale sporting events. Building upon such experiences, we will establish an environment where sports can be enjoyed without hesitation for realization of a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games.

The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic infected up to 600 million people at a time when the world’s population was around 1.9 billion, and deaths have been estimated to be as high as 50 million or 100 million. The Olympic Games Antwerp 1920 were held as the flu pandemic was running the end of its course and while Europe, reduced to ashes in the First World War, was still recovering. The Antwerp Games were truly a symbol of solidarity and recovery after a crisis and marked historic firsts that include the first time the Olympic flag was raised and the first time the Olympic oath was taken by an athlete. In 2021, one hundred years plus one since then, we will deliver a successful Tokyo 2020 Games that will serve as a testament to humanity overcoming the virus and will be a Recovery and Reconstruction Games, which constitute its origins.

The “plus one” days until the Games are valuable. We will truly work as one with the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the national government, the International Olympic Committee, and the International Paralympic Committee, along with the members of this Assembly and the people of Tokyo and continue dedicating efforts to demonstrate a new Olympic and Paralympic model for sustainable recovery.

Including the matters which I have already referred, a total of 59 bills have been presented to this regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly including 1 budget bill and 13 ordinance bills, to be deliberated among Assembly members.

In closing, I wish to once again state that we will protect the invaluable lives of the people of Tokyo.

I am determined to do this with short-term, intensive measures to quickly get through this critical stage. I ask for the understanding and cooperation of the Assembly members and of the people of Tokyo.
This concludes my policy address to the Assembly. Thank you.