2. Response to COVID-19

I would like to speak about the response to our biggest challenge: COVID-19.

Stop a resurgence by any means possible

The state of emergency, which was issued on April 25, has once again been extended. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is also taking measures such as requesting citizens to refrain from unnecessary outings and requesting facilities to suspend or shorten business hours according to the features of their operations. As the governor of Tokyo, I am sincerely grateful to the citizens and businesses of Tokyo who are giving their extensive cooperation during this period and to our healthcare professionals who are battling at the forefront day and night.

Although the number of positive cases is decreasing, the numbers are still high and the system for provision of healthcare is also in a severe condition. In addition to the shift in infections to the highly contagious N501Y variant, we must be vigilant against the L452R variant which was first confirmed in India and is reported as even more contagious. According to experts, the movement of people has been increasing since Golden Week and if this trend continues there is a high possibility of a resurgence arising shortly.

We must further establish this current downward trend in infections and definitely prevent a resurgence. Although this is a great burden, I again request the people of Tokyo and businesses for their cooperation in keeping down the movement of people and thoroughly taking basic preventive steps to curb the spread of infection.

Supplementary budget to accelerate responses

Next, I would like to talk about the supplementary budget to advance COVID-19 response.

In April, we prepared a supplementary budget to cover matters such as “payment for cooperation in preventing the spread of infection due to shortened business hours,” arising from implementation of the priority measures taken in Tokyo’s 23 wards and six cities in the Tama area to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Also, with regard to the implementation of measures associated with the declaration of a state of emergency during this period and its extension, we compiled a supplementary budget three times for provision of relief such as Tokyo’s own subsidies to support businesses cooperating in measures to stop the spread of infection and with requests to suspend business operations.

I took discretionary action on these budgets in order to advance quick responses together with the people and businesses of Tokyo. I ask for the approval of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.

Now, at this regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, I have proposed a supplementary budget of 455.2 billion yen in order to take appropriate measures based on the current infection and socioeconomic situations. We will accelerate actions to bring the spread of infection under control through initiatives such as efforts to ensure the full rollout of vaccinations for the elderly, now underway by the municipalities, and the setting up of large-scale mass vaccination venues. Also, we will work to sustain the economy through establishment of Tokyo’s own support scheme in addition to expanding financial support to business owners. Furthermore, we will continue to provide loans for livelihood protection, and proceed with initiatives to strengthen safety net schemes such as expanding consultation services in light of the increasing number of suicides among women and young people.

Taking all possible measures for the safety of the Tokyo residents

The long-awaited vaccine will be the strongest weapon to curb infections.

Under the Vaccination Team launched in February, we secured a system for a steady vaccine rollout by strengthening communication and cooperation with the municipalities and medical associations, and opening a consultation center where experts respond to concerns such as side effects of the vaccination. To firmly support the municipalities in their efforts to vaccinate the elderly, we will not only make metropolitan facilities available as vaccination centers, but will also launch an initiative in which payments are provided to local clinics that are cooperating in the preparation of a vaccination environment. Adding to these efforts, we will increase the speed of vaccination even more by taking the initiative in implementing mass vaccinations. First, from the 8th of this month, vaccinations for police officers, firefighters and others will start at the Tokyo 2020 Games vehicle depot in Tsukiji. This vaccination site will be closed at the end of June for use as the Games vehicle depot, but the public viewing site in Yoyogi Park is also scheduled to be converted to a vaccination center. We will continue to dedicate all efforts to implementing multifaceted measures while also working in cooperation with the national government and municipalities.

Also, it is vital to strengthen systems such as testing and health care provision in order to accurately cope with the ever-changing infection situation. Catch the beginnings of the spread of infection by conducting thorough testing at places where the virus is likely to spread and that are used by people at high risk of developing severe conditions, such as facilities for the elderly. Strengthen monitoring of variants by expanding screening tests. Secure necessary beds and designated hotels for recovery to enable response to a rapid spread of the virus. And bolster systems for house calls and follow ups on patients recovering at home, and firmly provide consultations on long-term effects of COVID. We will strategically roll out these initiatives to provide the people of Tokyo with a sense of security.

Balancing infection spread prevention and socioeconomic activities

Tokyo’s energy is generated by the daily life and business activities of its residents. In spite of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we must work to support these activities as well as to strike a balance between socioeconomic activities and measures to prevent the spread of infection. On top of the relief payments provided by the national government, Tokyo will provide additional funds to SMEs whose sales have dropped due to measures such as the shortened business hours for restaurants. In addition, we will provide our own relief to support businesses in severe situations who are not qualified for the support program of the national government. More than 100,000 people had completed training to be their establishment’s COVID-19 Safety Leader, who will take lead in establishing manners for infection prevention at places such as restaurants. The “Thorough Inspection Tokyo Support” teams are proceeding with individual visits to those places, and by combining efforts such as pursuing thorough efficiency through use of tablets and providing detailed support to the efforts of the leaders, we will continue to promote and establish measures to prevent infection together with the people and businesses of Tokyo. Although many people have adopted remote work, which contributes not only to preventing the spread of the virus but also to work style reform, further efforts are required from the perspective of reducing the movement of people. Through meetings with business federations, we are asking corporate management to call for the quick buildup of a remote work environment by making this a corporate policy. Likewise, we will take effective initiatives to spread the establishment of remote work by, for example, launching a new project that provides grants to up to 10,000 SMEs acknowledged to be continuously working to reach the goal of remote work “three days a week, by 70 percent of employees.”

We must stop the further spread of the infection by all means and protect the precious lives, health, and livelihoods of our Tokyo citizens. To fulfill this most important responsibility of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, we will overcome this difficult situation by taking all necessary measures while utilizing the knowledge and experience we have accumulated up to now in battling this virus.