Policy Speech by the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, at the First Regular Session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, 2017
7. For further development of the Tama area and Tokyo’s islands
The development of the Tama area and islands is essential to fully bring out the various attractions of Tokyo.
The Tama area has a high concentration of universities and R&D-based companies. In order to have this strength lead to more business start-ups, we will support the organization of seminars and the development of business incubation facilities. Through these and other measures, we will facilitate the launch of more and more manufacturing businesses in the Tama area. We will also develop the infrastructure for further development of this area, including advancing the construction of east-west roads, in addition to north-south roads, for the formation of an extensive road network.
I also want to let more people know about the attractions of Tokyo’s islands. We will set up the Tokyo Treasure Islands Promotion Committee, which will consist of experts on branding, marketing and other areas, to uncover hidden attractions, giving them added value and widely publicizing them. We will promote initiatives for the islands to compete with each other in becoming the island of choice for tourists, and with the support of “matchmaking tours” where men and women looking to get married go around the islands by ferry, we will promote tourism across the entire island area. On another note, we will look into strengthening measures for Oshima Town, which I visited last month, where farmers are suffering from damage to their produce by Reeves's muntjacs, small deer designated as an invasive alien species.
Although the Tama area and islands are often lumped conveniently together, each municipality features distinctive geographical conditions and industrial structures. I have recently been meeting with the mayors of all 39 cities, towns, and villages in the areas to directly hear from them about the issues they face and requests they have. Their valuable opinions must be firmly reflected in our future initiatives to develop the areas and find solutions to local issues. For the promotion of the Tama area, we will compile a vision for beyond 2020, tentatively called the Tama Area Promotion Plan, while exchanging views with the local residents.
Next month, I will visit Hachijo Town and Aogashima Village. I will continue to make frequent visits to the Tama area and islands, closely cooperate with local municipalities, and strongly advance solutions to the challenges faced by each community.
