Japan Press Weekly

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2011 March 9 - 15 [ELECTION]

Tokyo gubernatorial candidate Koike promises a people-oriented Tokyo metropolitan government

Koike Akira, the candidate supported by the Association for a Progressive Metropolitan Administration in the April Tokyo gubernatorial election, on March 10 announced his campaign platform calling for a people-oriented Tokyo.

A main pillar of his platform is to change Tokyo from “a city favoring large-scale development projects” to “one enhancing citizens’ well-being.”

To meet this end, Koike declared that he will put an end to the wasteful use of tax revenues, review unnecessary large-scale land development projects, and prioritize residents’ well-being and livelihood-related services.

He also said that he will make good use of the one trillion yen Tokyo currently has in reserve, including a 400 billion yen fund allotted for bidding to host a Tokyo Olympic, to benefit Tokyo residents.

Policies enforced by Governor Ishihara’s top-down initiatives, such as the establishment and running of ShinGinko Tokyo (Tokyo government-funded bank), the controversial plan to relocate the Tsukiji wholesale fish market, and the maintenance of the exorbitant salary and retirement bonus for the governor, and the continuous funding for overseas business trips by the governor should be examined, he stated.

Koike in his press conference at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office pointed out that the present metropolitan government under Governor Ishihara has abandoned its role to protect Tokyo residents’ livelihoods and well-being.

Putting forward 13 policy proposals, Koike pointed out that they can be achieved with only about 4% of the general account budget (250 billion yen). He said, “If we work in the interest of Tokyo residents, the metropolitan government will be able to implement and carry out all the progressive policies that I am proposing.”