The 87th Meeting of the National Capital Region Nine Government Summit Council

On April 23, Governor Koike attended the “87th meeting of the National Capital Region Nine Government Summit Council,” held online.

The council comprises Tokyo and three other prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, and five cities of Yokohama, Kawasaki, Chiba, Saitama and Sagamihara. 

As a proposal from Tokyo, Governor Koike said, “In building a sustainable society, it is essential to ensure diversity. As labor shortages due to population decline become more serious, it is important to bring out the best of women’s potential, who make up half the population. However, in the Gender Gap Index, Japan ranks 118th out of 146 countries. In particular, the proportion of women in entrepreneurial and managerial positions is lower than in other countries, indicating that Japan lags far behind the rest of the world in terms of women’s empowerment.”

She went on to say, “Tokyo is currently considering the enactment of a new ordinance that may catalyze promoting women’s participation in society. Furthermore, to enable women to demonstrate their full potential in every setting, various initiatives have been positioned under the banner dubbed ‘The Circle of Women’s Empowerment: Women in Action.’ Taking the first letter of the words, ‘WA’ serves as the keyword.

“To spread this trend across Japan, Tokyo is working on creating a movement that will spur reform in social consciousness and workplace culture by exchanging views with those who could become role models for women’s advancement in our society, at such venues as the ‘Tokyo Women’s Future Forum’ and the ‘N E W (Network to Empower Entrepreneurial Women) Conference.’ To expand the circle of women’s empowerment throughout society, I will propose the establishment of a study group at this council so that local governments in the national capital region can work together on these initiatives,” she said. With the support of other leaders, the study group is to be established.

Governor Koike also briefed other leaders on upcoming events such as SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025, the World Athletics Championships, and the Deaflympics. Regarding the response to U.S. tariff measures, she said, “The implementation of reciprocal tariffs is making the tense international situation increasingly uncertain. Yesterday, the TMG, together with Aichi Governor Omura Hideaki, submitted an urgent request to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Akazawa Ryosei, minister in charge of economic revitalization. 

“We requested that the review of reciprocal tariffs be realized, the support to alleviate business operators’ concerns over the tariffs be quickly extended, and measures to appropriately pass the additional tariff costs on to the prices of goods be taken. Furthermore, taking these tariff measures as an opportunity, we also called for drastic measures to address structural challenges the Japanese economy faces to realize sustainable growth,” she pointed out.

She concluded her remarks by saying, “I intend to continue working together with other leaders of the council, while also making an approach to the national government, to mitigate the concerns among citizens of Tokyo and other prefectures, and business operators.”