4. Raising the next generation to realize a mature society where everyone can always shine

Next, I would like to speak about initiatives that will contribute to the development of “the people” to realize a truly mature city where everyone can always shine.

Measures to combat soaring costs that bring out the potential of the people and businesses of Tokyo

Rising costs brought on by factors such as overseas conflicts and a weak yen are impacting the lives of Tokyo residents. Amid such social and economic circumstances, we must firmly protect Tokyo’s economy and the livelihoods of its citizens.

In addition to measures implemented thus far to combat soaring energy costs, among others, we will swiftly take steps to support the people and businesses of Tokyo affected by rising prices, including implementing new measures to support the livelihoods of Tokyo residents and boost consumption. Moving forward, we will propose a supplementary budget proposal that contains such measures.

Promoting children first for a society where children are the main actors

Promoting a “children first” standpoint is indeed a key component to supporting a city’s sustainability. We must create a society where children are the main actors.

Devoting all efforts to support households raising children

In today’s environment for raising children, families harbor a variety of worries, including uncertainty about the future. We will strongly urge the national government to fulfill its responsibility with respect to expanding and strengthening support for households raising children, and achieve this at the earliest possible time. At the same time, Tokyo will lead the way by taking bold steps to address education costs?an especially heavy burden on households?specifically, making high school tuition effectively free of charge and reducing school lunch fees. In this way we will do all that we can to support those raising children, and do so with a sense of speed.

Support for child-rearing

The first payments under the 018 Support program, which provides support to each child 0 to 18 years of age, will finally be distributed next month. And, next fiscal year, a new tuition exemption system at metropolitan universities will also be launched to prepare an environment that enables families to raise children with peace of mind.

We will respond to students’ motivation to learn more and desire to improve their skills, and support the growth of their talents and abilities. Through a program for first year Tokyo metropolitan high school students that commenced last month, we are providing students with occasions to deepen their learning, including opportunities to attend lectures and receive special instruction given by university educators active on the forefront of various areas of the arts. Utilizing such programs, we will stimulate the young sensibilities of students and nurture the next generation of talent. In addition, we recently organized the Teens Mobile App Contest, a competition among high school students in Tokyo for apps developed on the theme of solving common issues. Next month, we will present the awards to the winners and cultivate interest in programing, which continues to take on greater importance within society.

Meanwhile, the number of absentee children and students continues to rise. We must create an environment where children can learn with peace of mind and develop their potential. We will also continue to encourage the placement of support staff who provide academic guidance and consultations in designated rooms in schools to provide detailed support. Furthermore, we will steadily advance the establishment of an environment to facilitate diverse learning opportunities, including the utilization of virtual space online to create places where children feel like they belong and can engage in learning.

Protecting children who are suffering

Recently, issues of child sexual abuse have greatly shaken our country, reverberating around the world. Victims of sexual abuse and sexual violence are left with deep physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Early response and support tailored to the individual subjected to abuse are essential. To make it easier for children and guardians to consult regarding such issues, we have set up a dedicated hotline. And, next month, we will also establish a desk that offers consultations via a social networking service. It is my hope that those who are suffering due to abuse will not hesitate to make use of these consultation services.

Amid the constant call for attention to the declining birthrate issue, cases of child abuse continue to rise. Cases of temporary custody lasting for extended periods, the growing need for mental health care, and other difficult issues characteristic of large cities are also becoming sharply apparent. Bolstering our child guidance system is an urgent matter. In addition to strengthening cooperation between the TMG and Tokyo municipalities, it is also necessary to enhance frontline, on-site response capabilities and utilize expertise to improve backup functions, as well as secure and cultivate human resources such as child welfare officers and child psychologists. From such perspectives, we will firmly build a system that enables us to fully protect our irreplaceable children.

Making Tokyo a city where everyone can shine vibrantly

Promoting measures for older citizens that support choju

The global population is aging. And, Tokyo is at the forefront of this demographic shift. Creating an environment with a view to realizing a choju （healthy and long-life） society is crucial. The Premium College that we established at Tokyo Metropolitan University to support the activities of older adults in the age of the 100-year life has been very well received. It is also necessary to consider the unavoidable challenge of dealing with an increase in dementia cases, which are expected to number approximately 7 million in 2025. Multifamily dwellings, where roughly two-thirds of Tokyo citizens live, are also home to a rising number of residents with dementia. To help improve response, we will dispatch experts to condominium management associations to provide advice on matters such as how to coordinate with relevant organizations. Recently, new drugs expected to be effective at delaying the progression of symptoms are emerging, and treatment options are expanding. Utilizing the knowledge of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology and others, we will advance comprehensive and systematic measures from a broad range of perspectives, including early diagnosis and treatment, to ensure that those affected can continue to live in their communities with peace of mind.

Empowering women

The percentage of women in management positions at companies in Tokyo has surpassed 10 percent, showing an upward trend. Despite this progress, the reality is that we continue to lag far behind the rest of the world. With respect to metropolitan affairs, we have already achieved the goal that we set forth in Future Tokyo: Tokyo's Long-Term Strategy to have the percentage of female members appointed to TMG deliberation panels and other bodies exceed 40 percent. The percentage has steadily increased to reach about 46 percent. In addition to these efforts, to accelerate the appointment of women to management positions at private companies, we will team up with company presidents to create a movement to promote women’s empowerment as a business strategy. Furthermore, through a site newly launched to disseminate information, we will work to prepare a more comfortable working environment for women by expanding understanding in the workplace concerning health issues specific to women.

Recent discussions held by the Tokyo Kurashikata Council, which considers workstyle and lifestyle related matters, once again made it clear that a multi-faceted approach to systems and attitudes within society is needed. We will continue to receive expert opinions and, as we do so, work to form policies to ensure that Tokyo does all that it can to create a society where women shine.

Achieving normalization

We will support individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of self-actualization. Working allows people to feel that they are participating in society. That is why we will again this fiscal year hold a popular, large-scale job-matching event for disabled individuals. Interviews with companies, lectures, seminars, and other events will be held simultaneously to contribute to broadening employment opportunities for those with disabilities, as well as shifting mindsets within society.

Additionally, we are currently advancing work to revise the basic plan on creating a city that is more accessible to all, including the disabled, with the aim to formulate the plan by the end of this fiscal year. We will make the plan an effective one that paves the way to a truly inclusive society where people from diverse backgrounds respect each other.

Measures to combat harassment of staff by customers

Cases of excessive demands and unreasonable claims by the public that demean employees on the receiving end, also known as “customer harassment,” are on the rise. Left unchecked, this issue could harm labor productivity and weaken the vitality of various industries. To address this matter, we are advancing the formulation of Tokyo’s own set of rules that will place equal importance on “customer satisfaction” and “the mental and physical health of workers.”

Bringing out the vitality of the people of Tokyo through sports

Preparations for the World Athletics Championships and the Deaflympics, which will both take place in Tokyo in 2025, are gearing up. Last month, the basic hosting plans for both events, which set forth the basic direction for operations, were formulated. With regard to the World Athletics Championships, along with preparing a stage that will allow the athletes to give their best performances, we also aim to make it a model for future international sports events that will focus even more on sustainability. In addition, there are now less than two years to go to the Deaflympics. Taking the opportunity presented by the Deaflympics, the TMG opened a special cafe for a limited time. Miru Cafe gives customers the opportunity to experience communicating with hearing impaired staff through the use of digital technologies. I also had the pleasure of visiting the cafe and was truly impressed with how smoothly everything went. We will bring together a diverse range of talent and skills to deliver the Deaflympics and make it the turning point for the establishment of universal communication through digital technologies. Furthermore, by creating opportunities for children to participate in both events from the planning stages, the experience gained will be firmly passed down to future generations as a legacy.