2. Implementing measures for future Tokyo at top speed

Striking a balance between ongoing growth and maturity is precisely the path to realizing a sustainable Tokyo

Once we have overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, how should we embark in pursuit of the future? The countries of the world are now taking various actions, racing to find answers to the challenges faced by humanity. Since last year, Tokyo has been accelerating initiatives under the “sustainable recovery” banner. Rather than a simple return to pre-Covid times, these initiatives seek to achieve ongoing growth as a more evolved city. Numerous projects that we have set forth in "Future Tokyo: Tokyo's Long-Term Strategy" are also steadily progressing. These include projects for responding to the climate crisis that threatens our future and promoting the realization of “Smart Tokyo,” which will harness the power of digital technologies to bring out Tokyo’s potential.

In addition, the Tokyo 2020 Games, which overcame many difficulties to conclude successfully, improved understanding with respect to diversity and advanced the removal of physical and non-physical barriers, among other achievements. The Games served to greatly raise Tokyo’s level of maturity as a city working to create a society where everyone can comfortably live. A city’s maturity generates the vitality of its people. And that vitality is the source of a city’s growth. With the certainty that striking a balance between ongoing growth and maturity is precisely the key to achieving sustainable growth for Tokyo, we will continue to advance initiatives in support of this goal.

Promoting the Grand Reform of Tokyo at light speed

The most important factor in achieving “growth” amid increasingly intense international competition, and an even higher level of “maturity” that allows everyone to shine, is speed. We cannot let the opportunity presented by the success of the Games, which boosted international confidence in Tokyo and Japan, pass by. We must push forward with initiatives to build a Tokyo that will leap on to the world stage and into the future, and produce results. The speed at which we do this is what will determine Tokyo’s future. With strong resolve, we will advance the “Grand Reform of Tokyo” at the speed of light to realize a Tokyo that continues to shine in the world.

Upgrading Future Tokyo: Tokyo's Long-Term Strategy

With respect to the compass that will guide us on this journey, Future Tokyo: Tokyo's Long-Term Strategy, we have taken this occasion to further upgrade the plan. We will develop projects from the perspectives of “green and digital,” which are trending globally, as well as realization of crisis management that protects the lives and livelihoods of the people of Tokyo, creation of a society free of barriers, and putting children first. And, by building on the legacy of the Games and further strengthening initiatives from the standpoint of “sustainable recovery,” we will create a resilient, sustainable society.

Strategies do not end with their formulation. They will only be meaningful when implemented and the society we aspire to is realized. While also flexibly responding to changes in the environment, we will aggressively advance our carefully refined policies.

Reforming the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government itself also continues to change. We will work to break away from thinking strictly in terms of the fiscal year, a common bureaucratic way of thinking, and constantly conducting field tests, and strive to firmly accelerate the implementation of projects. When a challenge arises, we will promptly respond in a flexible manner to improve the level of quality of the outcome. We will ensure that this sort of agile approach permeates throughout the metropolitan government and fiercely pursue structural issues as well.

The key to making this happen is the power of digital technology. Digital transformation (DX) does not stop with merely improving the efficiency of operations. The true objective of implementing DX is to raise the quality of service (QOS) provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government at a high speed, and raise the quality of life (QOL) of Tokyo residents. Under the upgraded Strategy for the Structural Reform of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to Upgrade QOS, “SHIN-TOSEI 2,” we will accelerate many projects to generate services that are always one step ahead of the times. Initiatives include raising the digital competency of TMG employees and switching to more effective styles of public relations.

The type of organization to carry out this reform and create the future will be one that solves problems with both speed and the ability to execute. In addition to establishing the Liaison Office for Child-Oriented Policies, which will comprehensively promote policies from the perspective of children, we will consolidate work related to areas such as sports, the arts and culture, and public safety measures within the Bureau of Citizens, Culture and Sports, and promote policies for the safe, secure, and rich lives of Tokyo citizens in an integrated manner. We will also enhance the operating structure of the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health, which is on the front lines of our COVID-19 response. Furthermore, in the lead-up to fiscal 2023, we will advance a review of what form the organization should take, so that we can appropriately respond to future unknown infectious diseases and other situations.

Forging a future with hope through the FY2022 proposed budget

To boldly open up a new stage for metropolitan administration, we have proposed a 7.8010 trillion yen general account budget to this regular session of the Assembly. While making this budget one that gives more funding to necessary areas and less to those that are not, and focusing investment in green and digital areas, we are also paying close attention to ensuring our fiscal agility into the future through efforts such as further improving our assessment of projects and programs and curbing the issuance of metropolitan bonds. We have dramatically upgraded measures to realize the “three cities” concept to make Tokyo a “Safe City,” “Diverse City,” and “Smart City,” and transform Tokyo into a sustainable city. The entire metropolitan government will work together to produce concrete results as soon as possible and lead our city to a future full of hope.