2.Building a safe and secure Tokyo that possesses a sustainable energy base

Indispensable for a counteroffensive is a sustainable energy base as well as safety and security. So that Tokyo’s residents and businesses can fully demonstrate their strengths, we will establish a firm foundation that enables dynamic urban activities.

Taking on the challenge of becoming zero carbon and ensuring energy security

Accelerate the utilization of renewables

Annual global energy investment in photovoltaic power generation is expected to surpass that for oil development this year for the first time in history. Introduction of PV systems will encourage a change in people's mindsets and accelerate the shift to renewable energy. We will collaborate in the research and development of new technologies such as film-type perovskite solar cells and cylindrical solar cells that are expected to expand places where PV systems can be installed. We will also support installation in existing condominiums, home to many of Tokyo's households, to strongly promote its introduction in the metropolis where space is limited. We will not limit our efforts to Tokyo; by also working with other local governments and industry groups that are actively engaged in adopting solar power, we will spread the movement for PV systems across Japan.

In April, a project was launched to use hydrogen trucks for deliveries in Tokyo. The realization of a hydrogen society will determine the course of decarbonization. Concrete technological development of a model for district heating using green hydrogen has been initiated with a research institute and other organizations for promotion in the waterfront area. We have also signed an agreement with Kawasaki City and Ota-ku to strengthen cooperation in building a supply system, including pipelines, to support future demand. In addition to such initiatives, yesterday we made an urgent request to the central government for the prompt release of a specific roadmap for expanding the use of hydrogen. The public and private sectors will work solidly together in realizing society’s early adoption of hydrogen, while also taking into account the national government's just revised basic strategy for hydrogen.

Indispensable for a stable supply of renewable electricity, including solar and hydrogen power, are storage batteries. It is no exaggeration to say that batteries are key infrastructure supporting a carbon-neutral society. Batteries that are directly connected to the power grid—we are now in the process of selecting a manager for a new 5 billion yen public-private partnership fund to promote the use of such grid-scale batteries. In this way, we will also use the power of finance to ensure the shift to clean energy.

Boosting the popularity of ZEVs

In order to provide a further boost to the spread of ZEVs, we will increase opportunities for people to actually experience the appeal of these vehicles, which contribute to decarbonization. We have launched a new EV motorbike sharing service to make them more easily accessible. We will progressively expand the number of locations where these motorbikes are made available to broaden their use as a convenient form of mobility. Moreover, we will roll out a strategic PR campaign called TOKYO ZEV ACTION. By having many people see, touch, and ride ZEVs, we will have these vehicles penetrate all corners of society as the next generation mode of transportation.

Leading energy policy

At the G7 Smmit held in Hiroshima, with the pressing urgency of the climate crisis in mind, it was agreed that countries will further advance efforts for carbon neutrality and energy security. As a major consumer of electricity, what can Tokyo do and what kind of roadmap should we draw up to guide our actions? While receiving opinions from a comprehensive perspective at the newly established Tokyo Metropolitan Government Energy Issues Advisory Board we will strategically implement energy policies. At the same time, we will establish the "Expert Board for Renewable Energy Implementation （working name）" to provide us with technical and expert advice as we accelerate social implementation and promote the shift to renewable energy as an energy mainstay and the utilization of biomass and other renewable resources.

Leveraging these two expert boards that support "strategy" and "implementation," we will lead the way in building an energy infrastructure that is stable and friendly to the environment.

Creating a city that is resilient and where people can feel safe

Protecting the lives and livelihoods of the residents of Tokyo. This concept has never been forgotten no matter the situation. We will build a resilient city that does not waver even in harsh times when a myriad of risks confront us.

Shoring up preparations for natural disasters

Starting with the major earthquake that struck the Noto area of Ishikawa Prefecture last month, big earthquakes have been occurring one after another in Tokyo, Chiba, and other parts of the country. This year marks the centennial of the Great Kanto Earthquake. We must take this opportunity to once again raise the disaster awareness of each of our residents. Intensive efforts will be taken including an international event on fire and safety to be held next week, and a symposium to learn from earthquake experiences in August. We will spread awareness on the importance of being prepared to help yourself and each other, while also introducing topics that are relevant to the realities of Tokyo, such as strengthening the disaster preparedness of condominiums, which is an issue that cannot be ignored.

In addition, last weekend's Typhoon Mawar caused linear precipitation systems to form successively, with Tokyo also experiencing its heaviest rainfall on record for June. We will protect lives from increasingly severe wind and flood damage by taking measures that include using higher ground in the city. As we approach the flood season, we have enabled elevated sections of expressways to be temporarily used as last resort evacuation areas in the event of major flooding. We will strengthen preparedness in cooperation with the five special wards in the low-lying area of eastern Tokyo and related organizations to ensure personal safety.

The risk situation is constantly changing, including not only the looming threat of earthquakes and wind and flood damage, but also volcanic eruptions and large-scale communication failures. Even amid such circumstances, we will proceed toward our unwavering vision for a safe and secure future Tokyo, with the TOKYO Resilience Project, formulated at the end of last year, serving to guide us on this path. To that end, we will upgrade the contents of the project by the end of this fiscal year with Tokyo's "self-support, mutual support, and public support” as its rock-solid foundation.

Preparing for missiles

In addition to natural disasters, we must also face the fact that the successive missile launches are threats that pose real risks. We have already secured 4,017 temporary evacuation facilities to protect the citizens of Tokyo from blasts and other damage. We will continue to strategically designate facilities for such emergency use while taking matters such as local features and the distribution of facilities into account, and will also conduct technical studies to make evacuation facilities safer.　“Always be prepared”—this is how risk management should be. We will be sure to protect the lives of Tokyo’s residents by assuming that any kind of risk could occur.

Protecting our residents from dangers lurking within reach

Recently,　"dark part-time job robberies” suspected of being related to special fraud groups have been occurring over a wide area. Some have been revealed to be cases where young people were easily recruited through social media to commit such crimes. In order to prevent damage and new perpetrators from being born, the government and related organizations will work together and implement measures such as bolstering efforts in cyberspace and conducting educational activities for young people.

In Tokyo, about 1,800 arrests are made each year for sexual predatory behavior and non-consensual photography and filming, making stronger countermeasures imperative. A Tokyo metropolitan government-wide project team has already launched efforts to eliminate such predatory behavior. We will be conducting our first large-scale survey on the situation, and will work even more closely with private businesses and other organizations for highly effective response.