5. Evolving into a city that stands out from all of the rest

I will now go on to our initiatives to transform Tokyo into a city that stands out in the world amid fierce international competition.

Becoming a Tokyo that generates sustainable, new values

Cultivating an environment for innovation

As industry, the economy, and society are now at a major turning point, how to go about nurturing startups who will play a key role in fostering innovation into the future has emerged as an issue. A little over two months from now, we will hold SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024, an event that will generate new values for a sustainable future. By gathering city leaders, challengers, and others from around the world to engage in discussions, we will ensure that SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 serves as a prime opportunity to spur innovation. In addition, by having many people experience the city of the future, we will expand support for our vision for a sustainable future.

Since last November when we kicked off the preopening period, events to spark enthusiasm and passion in entrepreneurs have been held on a near-daily basis at the Tokyo Innovation Base （TIB） node for startups in Yurakucho. It is now possible to picture a future where people gather and new business opportunities are born from everyday conversation. While working to engage each of the players brought together at TIB, the facility will commence full-fledged operations in May, enabling it to fulfill its role as a node linking startups and all kinds of challengers to Japan and the world.

Asia’s innovation and financial hub

It is crucial that we facilitate a greater flow of capital toward supporting challenges and growth so that innovation can be generated in a sustainable manner. To achieve this, we will launch an initiative to promote investment from a global perspective utilizing overseas venture capital. We will also establish a new fund to support efforts aimed at resolving social issues, such as achieving women’s empowerment, and work to attract risk money from Japan and abroad.

At the same time, further revitalization of Tokyo as a global financial city is critical. Last week, Tokyo responded to a call for proposals from the national government related to its Special Zones for Finance and Asset Management Businesses initiative. In order to take Tokyo’s ecosystem to the next level and play a central role in the growth of all of Japan, as well as that of Asia, we will work with the national government to roll out a range of initiatives.

To grow the number of asset management businesses, we will launch a new initiative to encourage the development of fund managers who aim to start their own businesses in the future. We will also work to promote the release of corporate investor relations information in English, as well as to attract and increase the number of international schools, to create a world-class business and living environment.

And, we will accelerate efforts to attract investment, talent, technologies, and information to become the innovation and financial hub of Asia that will pave the way to a sustainable society.

Boosting the competitiveness of companies in Tokyo

Great waves of change are also bearing down on small and medium-sized enterprises. In order to convert these waves into opportunities for further growth, it is necessary to strengthen competitiveness. That is why we will support realistic DX, and have this contribute to company reforms and improved productivity. In addition, the lack of business successors is becoming more and more of a serious issue. To ensure that superb know-how and skills are firmly passed down to generations to come, we will take additional steps to support sustainable growth and development.

Customer harassment is also becoming more of a challenge at businesses in Tokyo. Since last year, a deliberation panel made up of experts and others have been engaged in discussions focused on the establishment of Tokyo’s own set of rules. In order to give businesses a foundation for dealing with such harassment, we will continue to examine the possibility of establishing our own ordinance.

Overcoming the “2024 problem”

Meanwhile, the manpower shortage emerging mainly in the logistics and construction sectors is developing into a major hindrance to Japan’s economy. Hence, the issue is being dubbed as the “2024 problem.” Through the utilization of digital tools and robots, and the implementation of detailed measures, such as providing consultation and support aimed at improving long work hours, we will work to boost the efficiency of industries as a whole and support efforts to secure talent to lay a solid foundation for growth. In addition, it is autonomous driving that will be a trump card not only for resolving driver shortages, but also for securing mobility for senior citizens. Along with working to promote understanding related to new technologies and safety throughout society, we will also speed up efforts to put these technologies into use such as by drawing up guidelines and establishing subsidy systems.

Urban development for a livable city that never ceases to be attractive

Next, on to urban development for a livable city that continues to captivate residents and visitors alike.

For a city that prides itself on its greenery

Today, functionality and efficiency are no longer the sole criteria for becoming a city that is chosen by the world. Urban development that facilitates relaxation and calm is now also a requirement. Under the Tokyo Green Biz initiative, we will promote green urban development in earnest. To speed up the designation of special green conservation areas that protect greenery in communities, including estate woodlands, we will work to reduce the burden on municipalities that purchase green spaces and commence operation of a tree bank that utilizes the land occupied by Jindai Bontanical Gardens. Through the revision of city planning schemes and other efforts, we will promote the creation of greenery. And, by disseminating information and creating the Tokyo Green Biz Map to serve as the foundation for citizen involvement in efforts, we will collaborate and cooperate with various entities to nurture greenery. To ensure that Tokyo’s rich forests can be sustained over time, we will also promote various measures to revitalize forests, including the harvest and removal of Japanese cedar and cypress trees at the appropriate time, and replacement of such trees with low pollen species. And, we will roll out a variety of initiatives to “protect,”　“nurture,” and “utilize” Tokyo’s precious green spaces, including the introduction of green infrastructure that harnesses the innate benefits of nature, beginning at public facilities.

Urban development that leverages local characteristics

We will promote urban development that utilizes the unique characteristics of communities formed over their long histories. In Kanda Jimbocho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro, we will advance urban development facilitated through building renovation. In the area of the Nihombashi-gawa River, which supported the development of Edo through the use of its banks and water transport, we will take the opportunity presented by the relocation of the Metropolitan Expressway underground to work to improve the river environment. And, along the waterfront, we will create a uniform landscape and make it an urban space that everyone can enjoy. In the Nishi-Shinjuku area, while also taking into consideration the opinions of the people of Tokyo and other matters, we will work to reorganize the space around the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings to create a “new city hall” area where everyone can gather, participate, and spend time as they wish.

Additionally, a subway line linking central Tokyo and the waterfront area will dramatically enhance convenience for all areas along the line. Last month, we agreed to study matters related to the project plan together with the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency and Tokyo Waterfront Rapid Transit, Inc. We will further accelerate efforts for the early development of the project.

Sharing Edo Tokyo’s history and culture with the world

In the city of Edo, diverse elements of culture blossomed and flourished. For example, ukiyo-e woodblock prints were born, sumo and kabuki captivated the masses, and a new culinary style called nigirizushi was gaining popularity. We have also inherited ishigaki stone walls, shrines and temples, and advanced waterworks technologies that supported daily life here. Our efforts up to now included not only setting up a council of experts, but also disseminating the wisdom of Edo through the Edo-Tokyo Museum and virtual spaces. Going forward, we will uncover the attractive facets of this invaluable history and culture, which has provided the foundation for peace and stability for some 260 years, and pass them down to generations to come as world-class tangible and intangible heritages.

Making Tokyo a city of arts and culture

The arts and culture scene is a unique feature of cities that attracts people from across the country and abroad. Using Tokyo’s Bay Area as the stage, we will hold an event to promote cutting-edge art from Tokyo and show the world the shape of a city filled with creativity and diversity. Through valuable experiences, including opportunities to obtain a glimpse behind the scenes of fashion events and the performing arts, we will nurture children’s motivation and interest, and develop talent to support the future of arts and culture. Furthermore, we will develop a project for works of art to be painted on construction site enclosures, which are often drab spaces, and other such locations, and create urban spaces that allow people of all ages to enjoy arts and culture in their daily lives.

Leverage Tokyo’s strengths to revitalize tourism

After a long absence, foreign tourists can now be seen throughout the city. To enable these tourists to fully enjoy our city and feel a desire to come back in the future, we will advance strategic initiatives that leverage Tokyo’s strengths. We recently formulated a new action plan for tourism promotion. By strongly promoting Tokyo’s rich culinary scene, the killer content that is anime, and other facets of our city, we will use Tokyo’s unique features to attract people from Japan and around the world. The nighttime hours in Tokyo hold enormous potential. This Sunday, the 25th, we will debut the world’s largest permanent projection mapping display, using the Tokyo Metropolitan Building as the canvas. We will also hold events that utilize traditional fireworks, digital technology, and more to bring excitement to nighttime in Tokyo. While listening to the opinions of experts, we will study the direction for additional initiatives to raise Tokyo’s presence as an international tourist destination.