Government

Tokyo Wins “City Award” at Smart City Expo World Congress 2026

November 5, 2026

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

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The Tokyo Metropolitan Government was Winner of the City Award at the World Smart City Awards 2026. The award was presented at a ceremony held on November 4 during the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) 2026 in Barcelona.

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The City Award honors one city globally in recognition of a comprehensive urban strategy that integrates innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and sustainability. It is widely considered one of the highest international honors in the smart city sector.

Under the initiative “C³ (C-Cubed) Powering Tokyo,” the Metropolitan Government demonstrated how a megacity of 14 million residents can achieve an exceptional quality of life by mobilizing three core forces: Citizens, Communities, and Collaborations.

Building on this milestone, Tokyo will further refine its “C³ Powering Tokyo” strategy and share it with cities around the world as the “Tokyo Model” for sustainable urban governance.


Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike receives the City Award trophy at the World Smart City Awards 2026 ceremony

Key Initiatives: C³ Powering Tokyo

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Under the concept “C³ Powering Tokyo”—urban development that achieves a high quality of life through the three powers of Citizens, Communities, and Collaborations—Tokyo Metropolitan Government explained the initiatives behind each of these forces that are driving the city forward:

  • Citizen-Powered: Citizen-centric urban development that incorporates public input and active civic engagement.
  • Community-Powered: Tailored local initiatives led by neighborhood communities and area-management organizations.
  • Collaboration-Powered: Promoting Tokyo’s appeal to the world through intercity networks, technical cooperation, cultural exchange, and other global engagements.

Comment from Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike

We are truly honored that Tokyo has been recognized with this prestigious City Award.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers, the judges, and all the finalist cities for their outstanding initiatives.

This award belongs to every one of Tokyo’s 14 million residents. Through the power of its citizens, communities, and collaborations, which we call C-cubed, Tokyo has shown that a megacity can also be a city for a high quality of life. It is people who drive cities forward. I am deeply honored that this belief has been recognized.

Receiving this award is a new starting point, where we will build on what we have learned, expand the community of cities addressing common challenges, and work toward a sustainable future where everyone can shine.

Last but not least, I sincerely wish Smart City Expo World Congress every success as it shows the world what better cities can look like.

About the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC)

Organized by Fira de Barcelona, SCEWC is the world’s leading event on smart cities. It has been held annually in Barcelona every November since 2011. SCEWC 2025 drew more than 27,000 participants from 138 countries. SCEWC 2026 is running from November 3 – 5, 2026.
https://www.smartcityexpo.com/

About World Smart City Awards / City Award

  • The World Smart City Awards comprise three main categories: the City Award, which recognizes a city’s comprehensive strategy; the Innovation Award, honoring creative and original initiatives; and Project Awards, recognizing implemented projects across specific areas.
  • The City Award honors cities that formulate and execute comprehensive strategies combining multiple projects, initiatives, and policies for their citizens.
  • The 2026 World Smart City Awards received 533 entries from 68 countries across all categories.

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