Message to Tokyo Residents

Happy New Year.

Reflecting back on the events of last year—the enormous damages wrought by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March and the resulting power shortages, among others—it can be seen that we were made acutely aware of the fragility of our safe and convenient lifestyles, a way of life we had taken for granted.

In addition to this major disaster, Japan is up against increasingly harsh conditions within the international community. Tokyo will boldly address this crisis as the life source and nerve center of Japan. Using the Tokyo 2020 plan, which we formulated at the end of last year, as the compass to guide us, we will turn Tokyo into a city that can stand proudly in the world.

In order to become a sophisticated disaster-resistant city, we will develop the fire resistance of districts with close-set wooden houses and promote the seismic retrofitting of buildings, while also supporting the activities of disaster-management neighborhood units, in which neighbors work to help each other. In response to the energy crisis, we will create highly-efficient, low-carbon “Tokyo” power by advancing the introduction of 1-million kilowatt capacity natural gas-fired power plants as well as photovoltaic power generation systems.

Human strength is what it takes to overcome crises. In order to raise strong young people who can compete on the global stage, we will give support for overseas study and promote discussion on reforming the education system. Tokyo’s own system of certified daycare centers will also be fully leveraged to address the falling birthrate, an issue that will sway the future of Japan’s national strength. Moreover, we will aim to create a city where senior citizens can use their knowledge and experience to the maximum and be an active part of society for the rest of their lives.

Tokyo is also taking the lead in assisting the disaster-stricken regions by accepting debris—while also confirming its safety—because this is holding back their restoration. For all the people of Japan to come together and strive for recovery from the earthquake and tsunami and to have such efforts followed by welcoming the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Tokyo would no doubt provide that precise moment in which we truly sense the rebirth of Japan.

I believe that a bright future awaits us if each and every one of us can display and unite our full potentials.

Your understanding and cooperation will be most appreciated.

Shintaro Ishihara
Governor of Tokyo