3. Firmly protecting the lives and assets of the people of Tokyo from all kinds of risks that threaten safety and security

Now, I would like to move on to safety and security. There is rising concern regarding not only natural disasters, but also risks to our health and livelihoods, public safety, and other matters. We will create a city that is resilient on all levels to fully protect the lives and assets of Tokyo citizens.

Shoring up preparations for all kinds of threats

Preparing for events such as disasters

In light of the recent Noto Peninsula Earthquake, we have immediately begun working on matters such as the deployment of mobile satellite communications equipment throughout Tokyo and increasing our stockpiles of emergency toilets. Maintaining a constant sense of urgency, we will work to promote the recently updated Tokyo Resilience Project.

Boosting the disaster readiness of shared residential buildings, such as condominiums, which are home to approximately 9 million Tokyo residents, is an urgent matter. Through the Tokyo Todomaru Apartment and Condominium Building initiative, we will support the installation of backup power systems for elevators and water pumps so that apartment and condominium residents can shelter in place at home with peace of mind. We will also encourage cooperation with neighborhood associations, with the aim to strengthen mutual support in times of disaster.

Although the latest damage estimates for scenarios such as a major earthquake directly striking Tokyo show an estimated 30 to 40 percent reduction in building damage and fatalities as a result of measures taken thus far to improve seismic resistance and fire proofing, further measures to reduce damage cannot wait. Along with enhancing anti-liquefaction measures for buildings, we will begin the process of revising the Urban Development Plan for Disaster Resistance, and also promote the improvement of fire resistance in districts with close-set wooden houses.

We have seen the risk of fallen utility poles and power lines blocking evacuation and rescue activities play out in real life following the recent Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Since taking office as governor, I have promoted the removal of utility poles, and removal has already been completed along 99 percent of metropolitan roads in the central core area of Tokyo. To further advance efforts, we will promote the three-dimensional mapping of underground facilities and the creation of 3D models based on design data, and by newly partnering with relevant companies such as electric and communications utility companies, we will strengthen cooperation to speed up construction.

Measures to mitigate increasingly severe and frequent flood and storm damage are also a matter of great urgency. We will steadily advance the construction of underground regulation reservoirs and the development of a project to construct underground diversion channels, both of which are expected to be highly effective in reducing flood damage. In areas lacking vertical evacuation points and high ground suitable for evacuation along the Arakawa, Edogawa, and Tama river basins, we will steadily promote the development of high ground by introducing a new method to advance their construction through city planning decisions that integrate high-spec levees into urban development.

To protect the citizens of Tokyo from the threat of missiles, we will start work on a pilot project to develop evacuation shelters using subway and underground parking facilities. We will first advance development of such a facility utilizing an underground storage facility that houses disaster preparedness supplies, which is connected to Azabu-juban Station on the Toei Oedo Line.

Infectious disease countermeasures

We will bring together the wealth of expertise and experiences that we acquired during the fight against COVID-19, including the development of the Tokyo model, and take our infectious disease preparations to the next stage. By working to enhance information sharing and cooperation among local governments, medical institutions, and others during normal times, we will build a system that will enable the metropolitan government to fully demonstrate its ability to comprehensively coordinate and respond in the early stages of the spread of an infectious disease. Through the utilization of a network of experts, including the Tokyo iCDC, we will work to ensure accurate analysis and sharing of information, as well as to boost the effectiveness of our response such as by securing an appropriate number of hospital beds and fever outpatient clinics by setting numerical targets according to the stage of the outbreak. And, along with advancing the streamlining of operations at public health centers, which are at the core of response, through digital transformation （DX） we will also work to facilitate initial response. We will have these efforts reflected in our infectious disease prevention and control plan to be revised within this fiscal year to better protect the lives and health of the people of Tokyo.

Protecting the lives of Tokyo citizens from growing uncertainty and threats

Measures to combat rising living costs

The prolonged rise in the cost of living is outpacing wage growth, putting pressure on the lives of Tokyo residents. Over the course of this fiscal year, we have compiled a number of supplementary budgets, implementing measures totaling more than 150 billion yen. Taking into consideration the prolonged impact, we will implement measures to support low-income households including providing each household with gift vouchers equivalent to 10,000 yen. Next month, we will also roll out a campaign that will give points back for QR code payment purchases made using designated services. Furthermore, next fiscal year we will introduce additional efforts with the aim to firmly support the lives of Tokyo residents, including support for small businesses working to establish systems to raise wages or review existing systems.

Ensuring public safety

In the Kabuchicho area of Shinjuku, in addition to issues related to “Toyoko kids,” the group of young people who often gather in the area, such as their over-the-counter drug abuse and sexual abuse, other problems are emerging, including malicious host clubs. To protect young people from such dangers, we will establish a comprehensive consultation desk that will allow them to consult with social workers and other professionals. We will also use social media to effectively draw attention to dangers, aiming to protect young people from harm and trouble and connect them with the support they need.

The situation with respect to yamibaito or “dark” part-time jobs that lure youth into crimes such as special fraud （grandparent scams, etc.） remains disturbing. To prevent young people from becoming complicit in a crime, we will focus on raising awareness through publicity campaigns at locations frequented by young people, including internet cafes.

In order to enhance safety and security in communities, we will also strongly support municipalities working to advance the installation of security cameras.

Strengthening child guidance systems

Recently, there was a very heartbreaking incident in which a four year-old girl lost her life, and her parents were later arrested on suspicion of causing her death. May she rest in peace. A child guidance office run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and a child and family support center operated by the municipality had been working together to support the child and her family. Moving forward, we will closely monitor the police investigation and conduct a thorough review of how this case was handled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the municipality, and we will devote all of our efforts to ensure that this sort of tragedy never happens again.

Measures to prevent child abuse are urgently needed. In line with standards set by the central government, we will open a new child guidance office in Nerima-ku. In addition, we will advance preparations for establishing offices in the Tama area. Strengthening cooperation between local child and family support centers and child guidance offices, which generally have greater authority than child and family support centers, is also crucial. Along with supporting staff training and the creation of hubs for coordination, we will work to ensure that we can properly respond to issues, which are spreading over wider areas and becoming more specialized in nature, including through enhancing systems at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Child Guidance Center.