Policy Speech by the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, at the Second Regular Session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, 2017
In opening the second regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly in 2017, I wish to relate my basic stance on future metropolitan administration.
Two assembly members have just been recognized by the Assembly for their many years of service. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and deep respect to them for their outstanding contributions toward the development of the metropolitan government.
First, I would like to explain my views on the Tsukiji Wholesale Market relocation issue.
I understand there are various opinions on the matter; there are those in favor of relocating the market to Toyosu, as well as those who think the market should remain in Tsukiji. And, among those who think the market should be relocated to Toyosu, I am also aware, of course, that many Tokyo citizens feel that the safety of the Toyosu site must be properly guaranteed prior to the move.
The main reasons for my decision to delay relocation of the market to Toyosu were concern over the safety of the Toyosu Market and the need to confirm the results of two years of groundwater testing. The results, as you know, showed that the site has not attained the level of “decontamination” promised to businesses that operate at the market and the people of Tokyo by previous governors, as well as by a supplementary resolution passed by the Assembly. With angry businesses saying this is not what they were promised, the activities of the Expert Council have now been suspended.
However, the promise of “decontamination” was not made by the Expert Council. This promise was made by the former governors of Tokyo and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG). And, although the Assembly’s supplementary resolution is not legally binding, it is something that should be respected.
As the governor of Tokyo, I would like to apologize to all of the businesses at the wholesale market for not keeping that promise. Furthermore, I would like to apologize to all of the citizens of Tokyo for not being able to fulfill the promise yet, despite carrying out soil decontamination measures that cost as much as 86 billion yen.
1. Doing what must be done
Over the past 20 years, Tokyo’s position as Asia’s number one financial center has been lost to Singapore and Hong Kong. Tokyo is now lagging behind Shanghai as Asia’s logistics hub, and Incheon Airport is now the hub airport in Asia. A metropolitan government that simply carries on with what has come before will not be able to bring back the Tokyo that once overflowed with vitality. The “grand reform of Tokyo,” which I have been advancing since taking office as governor last August, is about restructuring Japan’s capital into a new Tokyo that will be sustainable in every conceivable area, including the economy, welfare, and the environment, well into the future. We cannot achieve reform that benefits the people of Tokyo or other such reforms by refusing to think outside the box or by making decisions based on the vested interests or collusion of a select few.
Changes are now occurring at such a rapid pace—among them, the threat posed by a North Korea that has entered a “new phase” and the Brexit issue in the UK, which will hold its general election next week—the international situation is also in turmoil. For Tokyo to claim victory in the global competition among cities and sustain growth within this climate, we must accurately grasp changes in trends and the environment, and boldly deal with mounds of issues, while maintaining a global perspective. We will do what needs to be done.
As the foundation for doing so, the TMG will commit to three principles—putting the people of Tokyo first, information disclosure, and wise spending. We must change the nature of the metropolitan government, and based on this, together with the people of Tokyo, we will also advance a metropolitan administration that has a worthy purpose and obtains the understanding of the people to realize three new faces of the city—a safe city, diversity (diverse city), and a smart city. Successfully achieving this grand reform of Tokyo is indeed my greatest goal as governor.
