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

2. The Realization of Tokyo as a Pleasant Metropolis of Clear Skies and Greenery

If one phrase were to describe Tokyo in ten years it would be, “Tokyo: a comfortable metropolis of clear skies and greenery.”

(Change Tokyo by doubling the amount of greenery)

However, despite the fact that the total area of large-scale green spaces in central Tokyo is double the area of New York's Central Park, we lack a solid sense of this because the existing green spaces have not been sufficiently networked.

In addition to creating a large forested area the size of the Imperial Palace on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, we plan to double the current number of roadside trees to a total of one million by encouraging the active participation of the residents of Tokyo. Regarding the planting of lawns on school grounds, this has not only contributed to mitigation of the heat island effect, but has also had the joyous effect of making schools again places where children actively play outside. We will proceed with plans to plant lawns in the schoolyards of all public elementary and junior high schools in Tokyo.

Along with promoting greenery in all urban corners, including building rooftops and walls, I would like to involve Tokyo residents and industry in a massive “green movement” to create a total of 1,000 hectares of new green spaces, the equivalent of 1,500 soccer stadiums. The creation of a Tokyo abundant with greenery will be a metropolitan government-wide initiative headed by the “Committee to Promote Urban Greenery” that was established at the end of last month.

At the same time, we will also make concentrated efforts to remove utility poles especially from the urban center. Additionally, by maximizing on Tokyo's unique feature of having one of the world's most prominent waterfronts, vitality will be restored to the waterfronts of the Sumidagawa River and canal areas to have Tokyo become a city connected by corridors of water and greenery.

We are currently drawing up landscaping plans for the entire area of Tokyo and will introduce new landscaping policies from the new fiscal year. Tokyo will boldly embark on the implementation of regulations on building colors, a policy thought to be difficult to introduce in big cities. Through this initiative, I hope to restore Tokyo to a city with beautiful urban spaces rich with greenery that also retains our legacy from the Edo period (1603 - 1868) of serene landscapes in monochromic tones.

(Realizing an effective and comfortable metropolis and restoring clean air)

Development of infrastructure in a large city, especially the development of arterial roads, is a necessity in the development of modern civilization. Since taking office I have maintained a consistent stance on the need for loop roads connecting the Greater Tokyo Area, personally spearheading initiatives to urge the central government to action.

The average speed of vehicles in Tokyo is only 18 kilometers per hour, slower than a marathon runner. Once the three loop roads connecting the Greater Tokyo Area are completed and the network of arterial roads is fully developed, the speed of traffic will improve to 25 kilometers per hour, comparable to traffic during the Bon or New Year's holidays, resulting in an immediate alleviation of traffic congestion, one of Tokyo's largest weaknesses. There will be a remarkable improvement in the flow of people and goods in Tokyo, transforming our city into an extremely efficient and comfortable place for both residents and visitors.

The Itabashi - Shinjuku segment of the Central Loop Route of the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressways will open to traffic within this year. For the final segment remaining, the Shinagawa line, the TMG has taken charge of this business itself and is promoting construction aiming for completion in the shortest possible time. In June, the Akiruno Interchange - Hachioji Junction section of the National Capital Region Central Loop Road (Ken-o-do) will be completed thanks to rapid expropriation of land, finally linking the Kanetsu Expressway and the Chuo Expressway together.

With regard to the Tokyo Outer Loop Road (Gaikan), city plans are scheduled to be changed this spring to allow deep subterranean development. I will strongly urge the central government to quickly designate this as a developmental road so that this project can start as soon as possible.

In conjunction with these projects, focused efforts will be continued on projects to elevate railway crossings which will reduce traffic bottlenecks. In the coming fiscal year new work will start on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line; in 10 years a total of 8 lines will be elevated in 10 places, eliminating the need for more than 100 railroad crossings. In addition, the New Transportation System “Nippori-Toneri Liner” will start service at the end of the next fiscal year. I anticipate this will greatly improve access to transportation in the wards of northeastern Tokyo.

Arterial road development not only helps alleviate traffic congestion, but also contributes greatly to the reduction of carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles in Tokyo and is directly related to reducing air pollution. I believe that the multiple effects of road development combined with further enhancements in our successful policies to restrict diesel vehicle exhaust, will return clean air to Tokyo and the entire Greater Tokyo Area.

(Leading the world with the best policies against global warming)

The environmental problems that Tokyo faces are not limited to air pollution. Global warming is an issue that must be tackled through the initiatives of large cities that are the greatest consumers of energy.

At the end of last month, the “Committee for Development of a Carbon-Minus Urban Environment” was established as a metropolitan-wide strategic committee. Work on a ten-year project has begun in earnest with the goal of implementing measures against global warming that will be of the world's highest level. As a part of these efforts, a study panel that includes members from the energy industry will be launched next month to vastly expand the use of solar power. In the next fiscal year, we will start using biodiesel fuels in Tokyo Metropolitan buses. The next fiscal year will also witness the start of joint projects with private companies for the practical application of even higher quality, next-generation bio-fuels.

We will be setting forth a definite course of action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25% of the levels in 2000 by the year 2020.

The first step in realizing a Tokyo that is a “pleasant metropolis of clear skies and greenery” is for the TMG to focus its strength by transcending organizational barriers. The respective committees for global warming policy and green policy will be combined into a joint committee to unfold coordinated and integrated policies.