2. Overcoming crises to accelerate a sustainable recovery

Firm up preparations for a power crunch this winter

This summer, areas across Japan were struck by heavy rain and days of record-breaking heat, leading to numerous cases of heatstroke. Adding to the severity of the situation was the tight power supply-demand balance. Thanks to the tremendous cooperation that we received from everyone, we were able to avert a grave situation. However, the situation remains unpredictable for the winter ahead. We will further refine the HTT initiative that we have been implementing over the course of the power crunch, which encourages consumers to save, generate, and store electricity. This includes further support for efforts taken by companies and households to save electricity and accelerating action at Tokyo Metropolitan Government offices that sets an example for others. Through these efforts, we will firm up preparations for the coming winter together with the people and businesses of Tokyo.

Protect the people of Tokyo from soaring costs and support economic recovery

Measures to counter the prolonged rise in fuel costs are also urgently needed. On the currency markets, this month, the Japanese yen slid past the 140 yen to the U.S. dollar mark for the first time in twenty-four years. The impact of this historic weakening of the yen on the cost of living is further aggravating the situation. It is essential that we protect the livelihoods of the people of Tokyo and strongly support economic recovery. We will provide financial support to ensure that health care, child care, long-term care, and other fundamental services within our society that cannot easily pass on price increases to users can continue to function. And, in addition to developing markets for small and medium-sized enterprises, we will also promote the creation of workplaces that inspire motivation and strike a balance between increasing productivity and paying higher wages. We will implement a wide range of measures, including support for the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries that are also confronting rising costs and the promotion of rice and products that use rice flour.

Accelerate decarbonization to overcome the crisis

Working to make the installation of solar PV systems mandatory

For our country, which depends heavily on fossil fuels imported from abroad, the key to energy security lies in the pursuit of decarbonization. The fate of this pursuit relies on the actions of Tokyo, a major consumer of energy. That is why we are undertaking a review of Tokyo’s environmental protection ordinance to fundamentally enhance and thoroughly implement Tokyo’s policies from the perspective of HTT. It is critical that measures be implemented for the residential sector where energy consumption is growing in comparison to the industrial and transportation sectors. That is why we have proposed the creation of Japan’s first system that will require solar PV systems to be installed on small and medium-sized buildings, such as homes, newly built by major housing suppliers and others. The purpose of this system is to promote the improvement of the environmental performance of buildings together with housing suppliers, homeowners, and home buyers. The movement to make installation mandatory for new houses is a global trend, having already expanded to places such as the State of California in the United States, and Berlin, Germany. We will not miss this opportunity to leave behind a city to future generations that we can be proud of, one that is friendly to both people and the planet.

In introducing this system, it is essential that we have the understanding and support of the people and businesses of Tokyo, and that we all work together as we advance it. To achieve this, we will provide detailed support, including making sure that there are sufficient consultation desks to respond to an array of inquiries and working with housing related organizations to raise public awareness. We will go on to further review matters such as how to reduce initial costs and the cost of replacing related equipment, as well as systems for post-installation follow up and promotion of recycling. In addition, we will raise the effectiveness of this system by encouraging homebuilders and others to take their own initiatives for its smooth implementation.

Utilize all sorts of energy sources to go all out

Our efforts will not stop with solar energy. We will develop the potential of diverse next-generation energy sources, including hydrogen and geothermal heat, for an all-out push to become carbon neutral.

The use of green hydrogen, which does not generate CO2 emissions during the production process, not only contributes to the world’s transition to carbon neutrality, it also presents a prime opportunity to raise Tokyo’s level of international competitiveness. I recently met with industry leaders to exchange views at our first Tokyo Green Hydrogen Roundtable, held last month. And, together with the private sector, we will more closely examine specific matters in order to promote the use of hydrogen.

A movement that aims to make all motorcycles electric vehicles has also emerged in Japan’s industrial sector. Amid ever stricter environmental regulations around the world, we must further speed up the shift to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). We will also advance talks with Formula E racing stakeholders to host a Formula E race in 2024. As the world’s premier electric vehicle racing series, Formula E could also serve as a catalyst for the shift to ZEVs.

Currently, we are seeing green transformation (GX) spreading throughout the world. This movement seeks to transform our fossil fuel-centered society into a clean energy-centered society that achieves a balance with economic growth. The HTT initiative that I have spoken of today and on many occasions, and also the sustainable recovery from the pandemic pursued by Tokyo are in precise alignment with the promotion of GX. We will turn the current energy crisis into an opportunity to accelerate initiatives for a better future. This includes initiatives for the micro, small and medium-sized businesses that support Tokyo's economy.

Toward a more resilient city

Realization of a safe and secure city. Tokyo’s sustainable growth hinges upon this important issue. Therefore, we must take constant steps to enhance our readiness.

Measures to counter COVID-19

First, allow me to speak about COVID-19 countermeasures. We recently finalized Tokyo’s policies for “living with COVID.” While utilizing the framework built by the TMG for health and medical care provision, we will make further improvements to enhance these systems that protect the lives and health of Tokyo residents. Additionally, we will continue to properly respond to this invisible enemy and promote a balance between preventing the spread of infection and achieving social and economic recovery. Based on these two policies, we will now advance to a new stage under three pillars—enhancement of the systems for the provision of health care and medical care, promotion of vaccines, and firm implementation of infection prevention measures.

Concerning the overhaul of the system used nationwide requiring that all COVID-19 cases be reported to public health centers, in line with changes in the situation, such as facilitation of the use of the My HER-SYS system to monitor health—something that we have been requesting for a long time—and the use of oral medication to treat COVID-19 symptoms, we have made the decision that Tokyo will start implementing the new reporting system from next week, on the 26th. We will establish a system to enable those who are no longer included in reports to public health centers to receive health monitoring services if they wish, to help them feel safe. Uchisapo Tokyo and the At-home Recovery Follow-up Center will carry out their functions to the fullest extent possible to promptly respond when patients experience a sudden change in condition. In addition, preventing symptoms from becoming serious is key to protecting lives. To enhance measures for the elderly who are at high risk, we will open a medical care facility in Aoyama that is also capable of accepting individuals who are in need of a high level of nursing care. While working to provide medical care and nursing care in an integrated manner, the facility will also handle requests to accept emergency patients.

We will also promote vaccinations, which prevent symptoms from becoming serious and break the chain of infection. Regarding the Omicron booster, we will first offer it to those eligible for the current fourth vaccination, including senior citizens and health care workers. Starting this week, we will expand eligibility to receive the Omicron booster at mass vaccination centers operated by the TMG to include the police, fire department, and other essential workers. And, from next month, we will expand this to include everyone eligible for their third or fourth vaccination.

We will ensure that “living with COVID” is firmly established. Vaccines, ventilation, and masks: firm implementation of these infection prevention measures are absolutely essential to maintain a balance with socioeconomic activities. I would like to request the ongoing cooperation of the people and businesses of Tokyo.

While COVID is still an issue, of course, we must also address the challenge of determining how we as a nation will prepare and respond to the next infectious disease crisis. So that the central government and local governments can present a united front for implementing effective measures, in the review of Japan’s laws and measures for infectious disease control, we will continue to strongly urge the central government to make revisions based on considerations such as the “Tokyo Model” that the TMG has been building to date.

Building a resilient city that can withstand disasters

We will also promote urban development to create a highly disaster-resilient city. We have started a review of implementation plans for measures for people who become stranded and are unable to return home following a disaster based on new damage estimates for a major earthquake that could occur at any time. We aim to compile changes by the end of this fiscal year along with revisions to the Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Management Plan. And, with regard to removing utility poles, in addition to working to advance efforts on private roads in areas with close-set wooden houses as soon as possible, we have also formulated a new development plan to realize the vision to completely eliminate utility poles on Tokyo’s Toshima and Mikurajima islands. We will steadily advance these plans, including devising construction methods tailored to the characteristics of the islands. Furthermore, close cooperation with the central government and municipalities is vital when major flooding and storms occur. We recently announced an interim report on the operation of regional evacuation locations, appropriate ways to disseminate information, and other matters. We will further deepen discussions to have this contribute to enhanced evacuation measures.

In addition, we have compiled the direction for upgrading disaster preparedness measures based on the heightened risks threatening Tokyo residents, including measures for natural disasters that wreak havoc and problematic infectious diseases. We aim to formulate the Urban Resilience Project (tentative name) by the end of this fiscal year by gathering the knowledge of the people and businesses of Tokyo, experts, and others, from a common perspective of this direction.