PRINCIPAL POLICIES OF THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT

Tokyo Vision 2020
Driving change in Japan/Showing our best to the world

Overview

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) had been advancing policies using Tokyo’s Big Change: The 10-Year Plan as its basic concept for metropolitan administration. However, five years have passed since the formulation of that plan, and with significant changes in the environment around the metropolis following the Great East Japan Earthquake, it became necessary to enrich and strengthen metropolitan policies.

In December 2011, a new plan, “Tokyo Vision 2020: Driving change in Japan/Showing our best to the world” (hereafter Tokyo Vision 2020), was formulated as Tokyo’s new urban strategy. It aims to revitalize Japan and spur on Tokyo’s development by implementing policies that accurately respond to the new social and economic situation from a mid- to long-term perspective.

Tokyo Vision 2020 will carry on the ideology and basic concepts of the 10-Year Plan and will steadily advance the policies that were raised therein without allowing the damaging effects of the earthquake bring them to a standstill. Efforts will continue to be accelerated by restructuring measures based on detailed review of the outcomes of initiatives that had been taken up to now as well as the lessons learned from the earthquake.

Response to New Challenges: Key Points in Bolstering Policy

Based on circumstances following the earthquake, this plan will strive to bolster and strengthen policies with particular focus on the following three points:

(1) Strengthening disaster management policies: Building a sophisticated disaster-resilient city

The TMG had been focusing on disaster management policies, but the chain of events that came to light in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake were outside the conventional framework for disaster response. To maintain urban functions and protect the lives of residents, Tokyo will build a sophisticated disaster-resilient city that is fully prepared for the occurrence of earthquakes — a challenge Japan is destined to face — and other natural disasters such as localized torrential rainfall, which have been occurring with increasing frequency in recent years.

(2) Promotion of energy policies: Highly efficient, independent and distributed energy strategy

The rolling blackouts implemented in the immediate aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the need to conserve power due to insufficient power supply during the summer exposed the vulnerability of the existing system of energy supply. The central government is essentially responsible for promoting energy policy, but in order to ensure that Tokyo’s functions are not paralyzed, Tokyo must take the initiative in implementing energy strategies that set energy policy as one of the pillars of urban policy. Energy policy will be positioned as one of the highest priority tasks to be addressed by the administration, and conversion to a new energy supply model will be promoted. This model will include the generation of locally produced, locally consumed energy and the advancement of independent, distributed power production.

(3) Increasing international competitiveness: Becoming the international business hub of Asia

In contrast to the remarkable advancements made by the cities of Asia in recent years and their rapid economic growth, Japan has been losing its international competitiveness. In order to overcome this situation, it is essential to restore Japan’s position as the “hub of Asia” by encouraging global companies to establish their Asian headquarters and R&D centers in Tokyo, a city that has high potential. By attracting global enterprises to Tokyo and having these companies collaborate with the small- and medium-sized enterprises in Japan, new technologies and new services will be created. As a result, Tokyo will evolve into the headquarters of Asia, and this will lead to revitalization of Japan as a whole.

The Eight Goals of Tokyo Vision 2020

Tokyo Vision 2020 has restructured the goals put forth in the 10-Year Plan to raise the following eight new goals. While positioning disaster management and energy policies as the main pillars, leading initiatives will be implemented in various areas including the environment, urban infrastructure, industry, welfare, education, and sports.

Goal 1: Achieve a sophisticated disaster-resistant city and demonstrate Tokyo’s safety to the world

A safe city that Tokyo can proudly show the world will be achieved through large advancements in disaster response capabilities. Tokyo will devote its resources to be thoroughly prepared for earthquakes, tsunamis, ? ooding, and other natural disasters.

Goal 2: Create a low-carbon society with a highly efficient, independent and distributed energy system

Tokyo will balance economic growth and low carbon lifestyle to become the world’s most eco-friendly city with the highest degree of energy efficiency and superb energy security.

Goal 3: Restore Tokyo to a beautiful city surrounded by water and greenery

A relaxing and bustling urban space will be achieved by having water and greenery crisscross the city to restore a rich environment to the metropolis and generate a gracious cityscape.

Goal 4: Connect land, air, and sea to raise Tokyo’s international competitiveness

Tokyo’s international competitiveness will be boosted by developing its roads, harbor, and airport into world-leading infrastructure, and by promoting urban development around stations in central Tokyo that are centers of business or tourism.

Goal 5: Put Tokyo on a new track to growth by raising industrial power and the allure of the city

By fully using the strengths of Tokyo as well as by harnessing overseas growth, efforts will be made to vitalize industries. Tokyo’s profile in the areas of tourism and culture will also be raised through strategic overseas PR activities and measures to fortify systems supporting these areas.

Goal 6: Build and show the world an urban model for a society with a low birthrate and aging population

Initiatives will be taken to realize a city where all citizens can live together with a sense of assurance. This will be done by creating an environment in which senior citizens can play active roles in society and by having society as a whole support families having and raising children.

Goal 7: Raise globally competent individuals by creating a society where anyone can strive for high goals

Measures will be taken to give children the strength to shoulder the future, support young people who want to take on the world, and provide diverse opportunities to people who are motivated to learn and work.

Goal 8: Create a society where everyone can enjoy sports and provide children with dreams

The activities of athletes will be used to inspire children and the power of sports will be harnessed to realize a city full of vitality where people can live healthy and meaningful lives.

The 12 Key Projects of Tokyo Vision 2020

Initiatives that will be strategically implemented to achieve the above eight goals are positioned as the 12 key projects of Tokyo Vision 2020. Each project has a specific vision of Tokyo in 2020 and outlines the policies that need to be implemented over the next decade.

Formulation of the Action Program

Three-year action plans are formulated to ensure the viability of the measures taken to achieve the vision of Tokyo in 2020. Called the “Action Program,” this spells out the three-year targets and three-year program implementation plans. The progress and results of the measures are checked regularly, with the plans revised every year to accurately and promptly reflect changes in the social climate.