2. Ensuring the safety and security that supports the city in taking on new challenges

First, allow me to speak about safety and security, which, above all else, are essential to forming the foundation for all of a city’s activities. From consumer activities deeply engrained in daily life to preparations for a major disaster that could occur at any time, we will take firm steps to ensure that Tokyo is on solid footing so that the city and its people can take on new challenges.

Responding to soaring prices

In October, the consumer price index rose 3.6 percent, the highest jump in 40 years. As the livelihoods of the people of Tokyo and activities of businesses are being pushed to the brink, strategic thinking is needed to find a solution. For example, with the price of imported food and ingredients currently soaring, now is the time to make greater use of rice which has always been a staple of the Japanese diet. In addition to providing support to those who have fallen on hard financial times by providing them with rice and vegetables raised in Japan, we will also capitalize on the Japanese food boom overseas to help establish markets abroad for food items produced in Tokyo. Conversely, we will use the weak yen to further propel Tokyo’s ability to generate earnings such as by encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises that have expanded abroad to return to the domestic market.

Furthermore, this winter’s power supply-demand balance remains very tight, making it necessary for us to prepare for a possible emergency. We have designated today through the end of March of next year as the “Winter HTT Promotion Period” to encourage all of the people and businesses of Tokyo to conserve electricity. By taking the lead in implementing “Warm Biz” practices which contribute to saving energy, including keeping rooms at reasonable temperatures and encouraging people to dress warmly, at the offices of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, we will grow the circle of support for efforts. We will ensure that the HTT initiative, which encourages everyone to save, generate, and store electricity, becomes even more firmly established by partnering with neighboring local governments and various related organizations to urge people to incorporate the initiative into their daily lives, among other efforts.

Strengthening infection prevention measures in the lead-up to the year end and New Year

Now, let’s move on to COVID-19. With an eye to the year-end and New Year’s period, a time when the movement of people becomes brisk nationwide, it is important that we take steps ahead of time. As COVID-19 continues to spread, and taking into consideration the possibility of a COVID-19 and seasonal flu “twindemic,” we are working to build up systems to ensure that those who need health care can obtain the care they need with certainty. To enhance the accommodation of elderly people who are at high risk for developing serious symptoms, today, we will open four additional facilities in the special-ward and Tama areas to accept those in need of a high level of nursing care. The facilities will treat COVID-19 and provide nursing care and rehabilitation, with the aim to have patients smoothly transition back to everyday life once they have recovered. To ensure that people feel safe while recovering at home, we will greatly expand the handling capabilities of the Tokyo COVID Patients Registration Center and make certain that people are connected to the appropriate type of support. We will also enhance consultation systems for individuals with a fever. Last week, Japan’s first domestically produced COVID-19 oral medication, for which Tokyo also provided support for clinical trials, was approved for use. With more treatment options now available for those with mild or moderate symptoms, this should surely have a positive effect as we advance COVID-19 countermeasures.

Moreover, the key to enjoying a more active winter this year is getting vaccinated. In addition to making the Omicron booster available on a walk-in basis at mass vaccination centers operated by the TMG, we have also increased COVID-19 vaccination opportunities for children between the ages of six months and four years old. I request your cooperation once again in firmly applying the three strategies we are employing to fight this virus. First, be proactive and get vaccinated. Second, implement protective measures by taking steps to prevent the spread of infection. And, third, always be prepared by having a supply of test kits and fever medication on hand.

Strengthening Tokyo Metropolitan Government systems to lay a solid foundation for welfare, health care, and medical care services

Two years and ten months have passed since COVID-19 was first confirmed in Japan. To ensure that we fully leverage the precious wisdom that we have gained from this battle to date and continue to handle matters in an agile manner with an eye to the future, there is not only the need to promote the digital shift, but also to make additional strategic preparations, including reviewing the way in which local health centers function.

Meanwhile, in addition to the aging population and declining birthrate, which have further progressed, we are seeing other changes in society, including an increased number of consultations related to child abuse and heightened momentum toward realizing an inclusive society. In light of these shifts, there is an even stronger need for us to respond to the needs of Tokyo citizens in a careful and detailed manner. To squarely face such challenges and lay a solid foundation for welfare, health care, and medical care services that will last well into the future, we have decided to review the organization of the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health.

While ensuring that the many assets cultivated by the bureau, including its coordination of functions that straddle policy fields, are maintained, the health care and medical care division and the welfare division will be made independent of one another, becoming two new bureaus that can demonstrate high levels of specialization and agility. With the aim to implement the reorganization and establishment in July of next year, preparations are being advanced so that an ordinance can be proposed at the first regular session of the metropolitan assembly early next year.

Realizing a resilient city

Next, in October, Auxiliary Route No. 26, a designated route for improvement developed to serve as a firebreak, opened to traffic in Mishuku, Setagaya-ku. We are steadily advancing the development of Tokyo’s infrastructure network to make it a more resilient city, including starting construction of an underground regulating reservoir in the area of the upper Shakujii River, which straddles Nishitokyo and Musashino cities. Meanwhile, the ferocity of natural disasters knows no boundaries. The words “only observed once every few decades” and “the highest ever recorded” are used again and again in news reports almost every year to describe occurrences of natural disasters. We will review our existing disaster preparedness measures from the ground up and formulate the Tokyo Resiliency Project within the year to upgrade both structural and non-structural measures, and firmly protect the lives and livelihoods of Tokyo citizens. Disaster preparedness is supported by three pillars: self-support, mutual support, and public support. Only when these three elements work in unison can their true value be demonstrated. This can also be illustrated by the experience of the Great Kanto Earthquake, which will mark its centennial next year. By valuing and carrying on the wisdom of our predecessors and uniting Tokyo to advance the resiliency project, we will build a strong city that will not succumb to the threats that it faces.