Governor’s New Year Address to Metropolitan Gov. Employees

Introduction

At the beginning of the new year, I believe each of you has embraced your respective goals and resolutions with a truly fresh sense of determination.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who devoted themselves to their duties on the front lines, supporting the foundations of Tokyo residents’ lives and protecting their well-being, particularly during the year-end and New Year holidays. This includes those working in welfare, healthcare, policing, firefighting, transportation, and water and sewage services. Your dedication is deeply appreciated.

True Local Autonomy Invigorates Japan

The major waves of change now confronting our nation—in international politics, climate change, and technological advancement—far exceed anything we once imagined or anticipated. Because of this, we have a rare opportunity to overcome the doldrums; to restore Japan as a country the world can once again look to and say, “Japan truly is remarkable.” By prevailing in international competition and enabling both cities and non-urban areas to shine together, we can turn the tides of this era into positive and meaningful change.

Now is the time to lead our nation toward significant growth. Hasn’t the mindset of merely dividing an ever-shrinking pie been the very cause of the prolonged deflation that has plagued us for so many years? If we simply resign ourselves to the status quo and continue down that path, we will only erode our country’s vitality and that of its regions. We must cultivate genuine growth potential and achieve true sustainability. Through creativity and constant innovation, we can continue demonstrating the ideal form of a local government.

And so, at the start of the year, I ask each of you to engrave this resolve firmly in your hearts.

Time to Invest in Tokyo’s Future

As Tokyo’s presence on the international stage grows stronger, it will also contribute to the growth of Japan as a whole. Precisely because these are times of uncertainty and instability, now is the moment to invest proactively in Tokyo’s potential.

The initiatives we have steadily advanced are now bearing fruit. In the Global Power City Index 2025, Tokyo has, for the first time, risen to second place, surpassing New York. Tokyo has also been awarded the Best Overall Destination at the TOURISE AWARDS 2025, reflecting the exceptionally high regard worldwide. Furthermore, beginning this month, I will assume an expanded leadership role in multicity lateral cooperation as Chair of the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth.

Building on these tailwinds, we must further strengthen the global flow of people, goods, capital, and information to reinforce Tokyo’s role within the international community. 

Unleash the Growth Potential of the Metropolis Tokyo

Finance will serve as a pivotal driver in this endeavor. By decisively creating a competitive international business environment and elevating Tokyo’s status on the global financial stage, my goal is to make our city stand out in 2026.

What is essential, then, is to leverage Tokyo’s strengths in technology and ideas to address social challenges and drive the creation of new growth industries. Under our upgraded startup strategy, we will broaden the scope of innovation and unlock new frontiers of progress.

At the same time, AI is permeating society at a stunning pace. The use of AI is no longer optional. The real question is how we harness it. I ask you to advance Tokyo’s AI strategy with determination and champion its adoption across all sectors. By doing so, we can improve administrative services and transform the way we work, making processes more convenient and efficient.

While showcasing the unique appeal of each area—from the 23 wards to the Tama region and the islands—it is imperative to pursue large-scale, future-oriented urban development. We must also press ahead with the recovery of Hachijō-jima and Aogashima, which suffered severe damage from last year’s typhoons. Let us continue shaping Tokyo into a sustainable city, vibrant with rich greenery and water.

Further Enhancing Resilience

Last month’s earthquakes off the coast of Aomori, which registered a seismic intensity of 6, reminded us once again that large-scale disasters can strike anywhere, at any time. We must act swiftly and decisively to advance initiatives such as undergrounding power lines and building cities that are resistant to structural collapse and fire. In addition, as summer approaches, please work closely with municipalities to strengthen preparedness for wind and flood damage as well as extreme heat.

With new energy demands expected from data centers and other sources, Tokyo—as a major consumer of energy—must accelerate efforts to balance decarbonization with a stable energy supply, while earning the understanding and support of its residents.

Needless to say, resilience is a critical challenge shared by cities around the world. With confidence in being “the most resilient city in the world,” let us lead the way in fostering international collaboration among cities and ensure the protection of lives and property for our residents.

We have consistently implemented carefully tailored measures to support the lives of our residents and the operations of businesses. In light of the prolonged impact of rising prices and recent trends in wage growth, I am committed to engaging in comprehensive discussions with all of you to ensure that both residents and business operators can look to the future with confidence.

A City Where People Shine

Ultimately, creating a “Tokyo where people shine” is directly linked to the true growth potential I mentioned at the outset. It is, in effect, an investment in our future. Under Japan’s first ordinance dedicated to promoting women’s empowerment, we will vigorously advance initiatives to build an environment where everyone—women and men alike—can fully realize their potential, in employment and other sectors.

The principle of “Children First” as a cornerstone of Tokyo’s governance will remain unwavering. In the years ahead, technology will profoundly reshape society. As tasks that can be digitized are increasingly handled digitally, the importance of real, human-centered services, and the technologies that enable them, will only grow. Securing talent in technical fields will be essential. This year, we will work in earnest to cultivate technical professionals, with Tokyo Metropolitan high schools forging close partnerships with industry associations.

We will also pursue comprehensive reforms of metropolitan high schools, including technical schools, to ensure that our children acquire the ability to carve out their own future.

Furthermore, hosting the World Athletics Championships and the Deaflympics gave Tokyo a new strength. We are committed to leveraging these opportunities to create a city where everyone—from children to seniors and people of all abilities—can shine and reach their full potential.

Even More Employee-Friendly Workplace

In order to implement our policies effectively, it is crucial to foster a work environment within the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that enables staff to demonstrate their full potential, regardless of their caregiving or childcare responsibilities. We will improve caregiving leave systems and cultivate a workplace culture where employees can take leave without hesitation or concern about their supervisors or colleagues.

To all the leaders, I ask that you pay closer attention to the needs and well-being of each staff member. Together, let us continue evolving the Tokyo Metropolitan Government into an even more comfortable and supportive place to work.

Wholehearted Support to Let People Fulfill Their Hopes

One of last year’s pieces of good news was that the number of births in Tokyo increased during the first half of the year. Combined with preliminary figures through October, this represents a 0.9% rise. If this trend continues, it will mark the first increase in nine years. There are finally clear signs that the decline is beginning to bottom out.

This year marks the eighth of the Reiwa era, a truly auspicious number symbolizing prosperity. To make this a special year and encourage marriage, we will launch the first phase of a campaign centered on the number “eight” in mid-January. Through initiatives that address concerns about child-rearing, we will foster a greater sense of reassurance.

Let us make this year extraordinary—one in which we fully support the dreams of Tokyo’s residents. United as one, we will strive to become the best city in the world.

That concludes my New Year’s address. Throughout this year, let us continue to deliver good news from Tokyo to our residents and to the world. Thank you for your continued efforts.