Summary of Governor Koike’s New Year Address to TMG Employees

On Monday, January 6, 2020, the first work day of the new year, Governor Koike spoke to the employees of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG). The following is a summary of her New Year address.

Happy New Year! As we welcome the first dawn of a new year in the Reiwa era, I have renewed my firm determination to create a Tokyo that brilliantly shines in the new era.

Rugby World Cup 2019^TM generated excitement across Japan

Last year’s Rugby World Cup 2019^TM was greatly energized by the achievements of Japan’s national team. The success of the tournament, guided by many people working together, and the sense of all-Japan unity created, have also become an invaluable asset for steering future metropolitan affairs.

Heading toward the Tokyo 2020 Games

The Olympic and Paralympic year has finally arrived. Today marks exactly 200 days to go to the start of the Games. While also partnering with Games stakeholders, let’s truly unite across the TMG as “ONE TEAM” to lead the Games to success.

Formulation of a strategic vision and vision for reform

At the end of last year, we formulated a strategic vision for Tokyo’s future, as well as a new vision for metropolitan government reform. I look forward to working with all of you to build the vision for the new Tokyo, which strikes a balance between growth and maturity.

To work more efficiently and effectively

With a renewed awareness of the importance of “life-work balance,” and as you rethink the way you do your job and other matters, I want you to work efficiently and effectively, supported by systematic use of paid vacation time and overtime curtailment.

Using mornings effectively

I would like to request that you use the flextime system and staggered commuting hours to make effective use of time in the morning. Through the Smooth Biz initiative winter trial period that we will implement starting January 14th, we will promote the creation of a workplace that takes advantage of the morning hours to efficiently conduct business, enabling employees to “go home earlier.”

Enhancing employees’ motivation to work

Starting with next fiscal year’s selection of TMG senior staff members, we will also allow employees on childcare leave to take all sections of the test required to be promoted to the position. We have also established a system so that employees can obtain paid leave for medical tests and treatment of conditions such as infertility to start this year. I would like to request your understanding and cooperation in the workplace.

Now is the time for us to create dreams from bold ideas and take on numerous challenges with a sense of speed. Let’s make every single day firmly count toward the future.