3. The power of people is the largest force driving the city’s evolution

Power is generated when people can be active in ways that suit them, with everyone understanding and respecting each other. This is the engine driving Tokyo’s further development into a more abundant city. We will build a Tokyo that enhances the power of people, draws out the power of people, and where each person takes on the title role.

Investment in children who hold the future in their hands

Children truly hold our future in their hands. Japan’s total fertility rate last year was 1.3. In Tokyo, this has gone down to 1.08, approaching its lowest ever. According to the preliminary figures released by the national government last week, this year’s number of births is currently lower than last year’s, which was the lowest in recorded history, with it even said that estimates put it at below 800,000 births, the lowest annual total ever. The population is the most basic element of a state. We cannot help but be concerned that if the birthrate continues to drop, our national power will also decline. It is the role of government to prepare an environment where anyone who wishes can have children and raise them easily. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been taking the lead even over the national government in providing active support to residents for pregnancy, giving birth, and raising children. We will continue to study bold improvement and expansion of policies that cross over bureau jurisdictions, and directly address this issue.

Providing our children, who are full of possibilities, with rich learning and experience is the greatest investment in the future that we should make. Experiences in the preschool days, when toddlers absorb everything like a sponge, are extremely important for them to gain self-esteem and social skills, which are indispensable for healthy growth. So that all children can cultivate the precious strength they need to navigate the long years ahead in their lives, we will work to substantially improve measures to support their growth, such as schemes to provide a variety of experiences.

Enhancing English language education

Even today, when we can easily connect globally, English, the international language, is one infrastructure that determines the national power of a country. If the capital city of Tokyo, surrounded by the comfortable wall of the Japanese language, becomes introverted, it will only lose its international competitiveness. We must fully integrate this valuable infrastructure that connects us to the world. I wish for children who will be living in the future to not only use English as a tool, but to gain a rich global mindset and broaden their possibilities for the future. In metropolitan high schools, we will put strength into sending students to various regions abroad, and expand their opportunities to come in contact with different cultures, something that can only be achieved by actually being there. This month we will also open a portal site for learning where students can come in touch with real English anytime, anywhere. While disseminating information about Tokyo’s international education initiatives, centering on online study materials, we will firmly cultivate the power of students to shape their own future, such as preparing an environment where they can take the initiative in learning English.

Sending out the next generation of top runners from Tokyo metropolitan technical high schools

Starting from the next fiscal year, Tokyo metropolitan technical high schools will take a first step to the next stage, changing their name from kogyo to koka. In order to send out personnel for digital transformation, for whom all industries have high expectations, we will begin renewing the curriculum to offer advanced classes that meet the needs of the age, such as robotics, food science, and urban disaster risk reduction technology. Three years of learning in a state-of-the-art environment will be invaluable in learning about the depths of monozukuri, the art of manufacturing. We hope that the next generation of top runners from Tokyo metropolitan technical high schools will go out into Japan and the world.

Use the power of digital learning to ensure that no one is left behind

We will ensure that children have opportunities to learn in a virtual learning space. For children who need support, such as absentees and others experiencing difficulty coming to school, or who have just moved to Japan from abroad and cannot understand Japanese well, we will create a new place, an online classroom, where staff will provide them with individual support to facilitate their learning. First, we will begin operating a demo version in cooperation with Shinjuku-ku, and in the future, we will develop effective initiatives with a view to expanding the circle of such support.

Everyone shines to significantly enhance the power of the city

Thoroughly demonstrate the power of women

To enhance the vitality of the city, a wide range of perspectives and diverse opinions are needed, regardless of gender. When I first took the seat of Governor of Tokyo in 2016, the percentage of women appointed to councils that set the direction of Tokyo’s important policies was just in the 20 percent range. Efforts were promoted with the strong desire to change society from Tokyo, and the goal of 40 percent was achieved at the end of this fiscal year, more than half a year ahead of schedule. In order to continue to promote women's participation in various fields, we must also change the situation in which people have to choose between work and family, which is especially faced by households raising children. Fathers and mothers who are striving to raise children must be solidly supported by those around them. This message is incorporated in the logo mark we created for Ikugyo, a word we coined for going on parental leave to take on the “job of parenting.” The motif is based on a honeycomb that softly absorbs impact and disperses force. We will have the spirit of ikugyo penetrate society to build an environment where importance can be placed on both work and family.

Realizing a city where people can truly be themselves

The Tokyo Partnership Oath System, which symbolizes the diversity of Tokyo, has been launched. Since it began last month, more than 300 couples have applied. I can feel the high expectations for this system. We will make our city a place where there is greater understanding of gender diversity so that sexual minorities can lead vibrant and comfortable lives. We have also set out measures aimed at realizing such a society in the draft of the revised Basic Plan on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation released yesterday. Moreover, in order to further encourage the social participation of people with disabilities, we will collaborate with the national government and industry associations to implement large-scale job matching support with the participation of over 200 companies. Through a wide range of initiatives, we will realize a diverse Tokyo where everyone can truly be themselves.

For a society where people do not have to worry alone

The anxieties of people suffering from loneliness and isolation are becoming increasingly complex and diverse. We have launched the formulation of new guidelines for an overhaul of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's support program for recluses. Covering all generations, including middle-aged and senior citizens, optimal support, not just employment and independent living support, will be provided so that they and their families can have a sense of self-esteem.

We are also promoting systematic revision of our suicide prevention plan. Focusing on men in their 40s or older who are in their prime and women who have been particularly affected by the pandemic, we need to build a scheme where they do not have to worry alone. We will implement comprehensive measures while strengthening cooperation with various support organizations.

A city where artists can easily be active

It is the power of "people" that gives birth to Tokyo's rich arts and culture. Using 3D computer graphics, my avatar participated in the opening ceremony of the "Civic Creative Base Tokyo," a creative base for new expression using digital technology. I can sense that ways for artists to express themselves are expanding day by day. We will continue to further refine the proud soft power of Tokyo by, among others, creating a system to support the ongoing activities of the artists who bear this power and by collaborating with Tokyo’s theaters and organizations for culture and the arts to provide opportunities for children to nurture their creativity.

For the realization of international competitions that deliver dreams and inspiration

The power of sports nurtures dreams, inspiration, and courage in the hearts of people. International competitions express this power the most, and what is most important here is receiving the trust of the people of Tokyo and Japan. It is thus truly regrettable that the work contracted by the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee for the Tokyo 2020 Games is under investigation by the judicial authorities. We have told the organizing committee’s liquidation corporation to cooperate fully with the investigation. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as well, has already set up an investigation team headed by Vice Governor Ushioda, to thoroughly check the procedures and decision-making process related to these contracts.

In 2025, Tokyo will host the World Athletics Championships and the Deaflympics. Through these international sporting events, we will bring a ray of bright hope to people. To that end as well, the newly established expert panel will deepen discussions on governance, information disclosure, and the involvement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in future international sporting events, and will formulate guidelines. We will make changes that need to be made, and continue to utilize the legacies of the Tokyo 2020 Games for a better future for Tokyo.