Policy Speech by the Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, at the First Regular Session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, 2007

February 7, 2007

In opening the first regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly in 2007, I wish to relate my basic stance on future metropolitan administration, and seek the understanding and cooperation of the members of this Assembly and the people of Tokyo.

Mr. Yukio Aoshima, the former Governor of Tokyo passed away on December 20. On the behalf of the people of Tokyo I would like to express my deepest condolences and sorrow.

1. Pursuing Reforms are Our Strengths

(Carry on the accomplishments of reform to the next four years)

Eight years ago I called for “changing Japan, starting from Tokyo,” and the citizens of Tokyo responded by giving me the helm to steer the national capital. At the time, Tokyo was unable to hold any prospects for the future, caught up in the long and sluggish post-bubble economy. Metropolitan finances that were supposed to be supporting the livelihoods of the citizens of Tokyo were instead such that we were on the brink of becoming a “local government in financial reconstruction” (a local government controlled by the central government).

Faced by this situation, I first aroused a sense of crisis in all Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) employees. By fully utilizing the TMG's strength of being able to implement concrete programs in various localities, diligent efforts were applied to rebuild the foundation of the metropolitan administration. In policy formulation, the creativity and ingenuity of employees was actively incorporated, and along with the occasional use of the top-down approach, the TMG has implemented what I believe are unique initiatives that are two to three steps ahead of the central government.

As a result of these changes, we have been able to push finances that were on the verge of collapse back to a safe position. With the full cooperation of the residents of Tokyo and industry, restrictions on diesel vehicle exhaust gas, which were implemented through the joint efforts of the Eight Metropolitan Prefectural/Municipal Authorities, have succeeded in greatly reducing air pollution. Furthermore, the new bond market for CLOs and CBOs has grown to one trillion yen and as a result 55 of Tokyo's excellent small and medium sized companies have been listed on the Stock Exchange.

With regard to the civilian-military dual-use of Yokota Air Base, which I have insisted upon since taking office, specific examinations into its realization have been started by a US-Japan study group, bringing us at last to the final steps in achieving this goal. A portion of airspace has already been returned, positively affecting the economy through reduced flight times.

Tokyo's newly developed public accounting system was created as a trump card of administrative and fiscal reform. I believe that this will, in the long term, clear away any shortcomings in the administration's cost awareness and trigger a fundamental change in the bureaucrat-led government that has prevailed in this country since the establishment of the Dajokan (Grand Council of State) system in 1868. Regarding our pro forma standard taxation on banks, this resulted in paving the way for the central government to follow suit, albeit in a different form, in spreading the principle of taxation based on the scale of business activities.

However, the revitalization of Japan starting from Tokyo has just finished its first chapter. Only persistent reform is truly worthy of the name “reform.” Along with continuing our all-out efforts to enhance Tokyo's appeal and improve citizens' welfare by linking the specific achievements of the past eight years to the next four years, Tokyo's successful reforms must also lead to new developments for Japan.

(A close look at Tokyo in ten years)

It is for this reason as well that we must clearly define a vision for Tokyo's future. “Tokyo's Big Change - The 10-Year Plan” that was decided at the end of last year is not a fanciful, abstract manifesto but a detailed and feasible scheme of Tokyo in the near future. By drawing up this plan, I believe we have been able to show the people of Japan and the world, the shape of Tokyo that we aim to achieve.

Important points to consider when depicting Tokyo in ten years are how to have Japan's proud energy-saving technologies and ubiquitous technologies benefit the lives of Tokyo citizens and how to fully utilize the diverse and talented human resources gathered in Tokyo. Relations between Tokyo and the world, especially collaboration with the cities of East Asia, are also indispensable in our considerations. With an emphasis on such perspectives, we shall pursue a more mature stage of development while maximizing on the potential of Tokyo.

Japan has already entered the phase of population decline. However, the populations of metropolitan areas continue to increase. This is especially true of Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa, where the population is expected to continue growing for some time to come. Using the population and many other sources of strength that are concentrated in Tokyo as the driving force for reforms, we must strive for the further development of Japan's dynamo that is Tokyo.

Henceforth, based on the 10-Year Plan, which is a precise compass substantiated by objective simulations, we will unfold realistic policies in an expeditious manner to take the first, new step toward Tokyo's future.