Speech at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, November 16th, 2017

Visiting Singapore as the 60th Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike delivered a speech at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on November 16^th, 2017.

Governor Koike highlighted the partnership enjoyed between Tokyo and Singapore, and introduced a number of initiatives aimed at sustainability and establishing Tokyo as an international financial hub. The governor also discussed preparations for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

On the commonalities of Singapore and Tokyo, the governor remarked the safety. She pointed to the implementation of a community policing model in Singapore based on Japan’s koban system, which was originally developed in Tokyo about 140 years ago. She also introduced Tokyo Metropolitan University’s co-tutorial student-exchange program with the National University of Singapore as a key example of this collaboration.

The governor then outlined her vision of a “New Tokyo” that is three cities in one: A Safe City, a Diverse City and a Smart City.

Focusing on the Smart City initiatives, Governor Koike highlighted the “Tokyo Financial Big Bang,” which is aimed at drawing more capital, people and information into the city from all around the world. She introduced new initiatives to encourage more foreign companies to start business in Tokyo. These included an accelerator program called the “Fintech Business Camp Tokyo,” as part of efforts to attract “foreign financial firms with advanced technologies and cutting-edge business models” to Tokyo. In addition, the governor talked about the “Acceleration Program in Tokyo for Women,” launched this year to support female entrepreneurs.

Discussing the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, Governor Koike outlined a number of initiatives to create sustainability and ultimately establish Tokyo as a ‘Zero Emissions city.’ She pointed to Tokyo’s promotion of city-issued Green Bonds as just one example of how the city is seeking to advance ESG investments.

Governor Koike went on to speak about the spirit of mottainai, noting that it “conveys in a single word the ‘3Rs’ concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle.” She said that this type of mindset was vital to the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring “sustainable consumption and production patterns.”

The governor then described her plans for Tokyo 2020 Games. She stated that “the Games will emphasize sustainability” and spoke about the partnership with Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee to utilize the “urban mine” to collect old mobile phones and small electronic devices to recycle into medals for the Games.

In closing, Governor Koike expressed her wish for even greater collaboration between the two societies in the future, saying: “I hope that Singapore and Tokyo will strengthen relations and continue to cooperate towards 2020 and beyond … Let’s work together to create a brighter future.”