Tokyo Metropolitan Government

What urban vision should we havefor Tokyo when reconstructing
after a natural disaster?
Urban Reconstruction Principles, Goals and Basic Policies
If an earthquake hits directly the capital…
If a natural disaster or the like causes damage…
This summarizes the forms Tokyo’s urban reconstruction will take afollowing disaster.

June 28, 2019

The urban reconstruction principles, goals and basic policies mentioned
in this document will be used to implement programs and refine its
reconstruction guidelines and plans when Tokyo suffers damage fromnatural disaster—such as an earthquake, torrential rain, a windstorm or
volcanic eruption—or the like.

Introduction……………………………………… 4

1
Urban
reconstruction
principles

1-1 A safe and relaxing city……………………………………5
1-2 A city selected by people around the world	����6
1-3 A city that achieves sustainable development	���7
1-4 A city of mutual aid and cooperation……………………82
Urban reconstruction goals…………………………………………………… 92

3
Basic urban
reconstruction
policies

3-1 Areas targeted for urban reconstruction…………… 10
3-2 Urban reconstruction policies………………………… 11
3-3 Cooperating on reconstruction
in other sectors………………………………………… 14
3-4 Cooperating urban reconstruction
among diverse constituents………………………… 16
3-5 Urban reconstruction period…………………………… 17

Looking ahead……………………………………………………………………… 18
Reference notes…………………………………………………………………… 19
1. Tokyo Metropolitan Government pre-disaster urban reconstruction initiatives………… 19
2. Deliberation process………………………………………………………………………… 21
3. Glossary……………………………………………………………………………………… 22

3

Introd uct io n
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government created its Grand Design for Earthquake
Disaster Reconstruction1 in May 2001. This document explains the government’s
reconstruction principles, goals and basic policies in case of a disaster such as
earthquake directly hitting the capital as part of the preparations for prompt, systematicurban reconstruction2. It also provides information about the administration’s postdisaster urban development guidelines to Tokyo residents.
Learning from the lessons of catastrophe that have occurred since 2001 around thecountry and obtaining suggestions from Tokyo residents and academic experts, themetropolitan government has compiled new urban reconstruction principles, goals andbasic policies3.
These basic policies mentioned in this document will be used to implement
programs and refine its reconstruction guidelines and plans when Tokyosuffers damage from natural disaster—such as an earthquake, torrential rain, awindstorm or volcanic eruption—or the like.
1

Predicting the potential damage from a disaster such as earthquake directly hitting the capital, the metropolitan government
created preliminary reconstruction principles, goals and basic policies—as well as wide-area infrastructure and urban
development plans and realization of strategies—that will be drawn up following a disaster.

2

The reconstruction measures section of the metropolitan government’s March 2016 Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Manual for government employees provides information about reconstruction
procedures and implementation systems in the wake of a disaster such as an earthquake directly hitting the capital, andprovides the following definitions:• “Urban reconstruction” refers to measures devised to produce urban spaces endowed with new values and qualities thatexceed the previously existing standards.
• “Restoration” means restoration to nearly the same condition as before.
3

Reconstruction in four areas—the urban, housing, livelihoods, and industry—is described in the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Manual, and these basic policies apply to urban reconstruction from among
those areas.

4

1

Urban
reconstruction
principles● A safe and relaxing city
● A city selected by people around the world● A city that achieves sustainable development● A city of mutual aid and cooperation

Reconstruction must be tackled promptly and systematically to ensure that diverse
kinds of people can lead rich, secure, fulfilling lives, and play an active part and take onchallenges. At the same time, it must make it possible for the Tokyo area—one of theworld’s leading metropolises—and Tokyo, its nucleus, to continue flourishing as a city.
With that in mind, we will approach reconstruction based on the idea of becoming thekind of city described below.

1-1 A safe and relaxing city
We will construct earthquake-resistant buildings, giving priority to disaster-affectedareas. In addition, we will improve such things as roads and rivers, especially tosecure and effectively use open spaces such as parks that both enrich the communityand serve as centers for disaster prevention activities when one occurs.
Moreover, we will find ways to create energy infrastructure needed to ensurestable energy supply and business continuity. By building resilient urban facilities
and structures, we will create a safe and relaxing city that is free of the threat anddestruction of disasters.

Areas with close-set wooden houses have been eliminated in attractive, urban residential areas.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s September 2017 Grand Design for Urban Development4

4This publication describes an administrative plan that lays out the urban vision Tokyo should pursue, and basic
policies and concrete measures for urban development towards its realization in September 2017.

5

1-2 A city selected by people around the world
During the course of Tokyo’s reconstruction, we will maximize our use of the robust
infrastructure stock, and concentrate sophisticated urban functions in our safe andrelaxing city further extending it to promote the active exchange of people, goods andinformation globally. Tokyo is aiming to become a city of choice for the people fromwhole world by enhancing the brand power of Tokyo where new values are constantly
created.

Young foreign students and researchers gather to create innovations in the Tama area.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5)

Central part of the ward area with a high-quality living environment
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5)

6

1-3 A city that achieves sustainable development
In addition to employing cutting-edge technology to reconstruct Tokyo, we will adopt
long-term perspectives to carry out urban development, incorporating the conceptof eco-friendliness (Environment), contribution to society (Social), city management(Governance), so-called “ESG5”. At the same time, we will protect greenery, protect
communities and protect people, and enhance the unique appeal of Tokyo. In this way
we will endeavor to achieve sustainable urban development in Tokyo.

Central part of the ward area where a network of beautiful seasonal greenery and water is built in a rich environment
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5)

On Tokyoʼs islands, many people enjoy local “treasures” that have been refined.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5)

5Refer to the column “Towards Achieving Sustainable Urban Development ― ESG and SDGs ―” in part 2 of theglossary in section 3 of the reference notes (p. 23 of this publication).

7

1-4 A city of mutual aid and cooperation
Through community reconstruction 6efforts in which the disaster victims help
each other out and greater community
solidarity created through the urban
reconstruction process, we will create
schemes that tie in with overall urban
reconstruction.
We will carr y out these ef for ts bycooperating self-help, mutual aid, andpublic aid, and strive to make Tokyo acity in which every person shines.
We will also cooperate with the national
government and the governments ofwards, municipalities and neighboring
prefectures to carry out reconstructionthat takes the entire Tokyo area into
consideration.

Resident-led reconstruction and support
provided through public aid

Mutualaid

Self-help
Individuals

Communities

Resident-led reconstruction

Reconstruction
Support from public sources

NPOs

Volunteers

Cooperation

Cooperation

Publicaid
Government
Cooperation

Cooperation

Specialists

Companies

Source: Reconstruction process section of the March 2016 Tokyo Metropolitan
Government Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Manual

6

The reconstruction process section of the March 2016 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Earthquake Disaster
Reconstruction Manual for Tokyo residents proposes cooperative community reconstruction involving cooperation among
numerous Tokyo residents and organizations. The manual describes the reconstruction procedures and implementation
systems that should be formulated in the wake of a disaster such as an earthquake directly hitting the capital.

8

2

Urban
reconstruction
goals

Realizing a highly developed maturecity that is relaxing and full of vitality
and free of the threat and destruction ofdisasters

This is the goal we aspire to based on our urban reconstruction principles.
“Free of the threat and destruction of disasters” refers to our resolve to create the city anew ina way that minimizes future damage, even if Tokyo is again hit by a natural disaster—such as anearthquake, torrential rains, windstorm or volcanic eruption—or the like.
Additionally, “a highly developed mature city that is relaxing full of vitality” refers to the urban
development goals in the Grand Design for Urban Development.
This goal reflects our resolve to achieve greater growth as Japan’s leading city, as well as oneof the leading cities of the world—an advanced metropolis that appeals to people the world
over and is full of hope and vitality—so that Tokyo continues to develop sustainably.

Central part of the ward area where international business activities are taking place
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5)

93Basic urban
reconstruction
policies● Areas targeted for urban reconstruction● Urban reconstruction policies● Cooperating on reconstruction in other sectors● Cooperating urban reconstruction among diverse
constituents● Urban reconstruction period

We will use the following basic policies to strengthen Tokyo through urban reconstruction
while maintaining its urban functions to ensure that government and economic activities—
as well as the activities of society as a whole—are not halted when natural disasters such as
earthquakes, torrential rain, windstorms and volcanic eruptions or the like occur.

3-1 Areas targeted for urban reconstruction
The number one goal of urban reconstruction is to recover from the damage, so ourmain focus will be on disaster-affected areas.
However, there may be cases in which we pursue new urban development evenwhen the damage from a disaster is slight. In some instances, we may also needto review community development in relation to adjacent reconstruction projects,
even in an area where no damage occurred. Further, we also need to consider urban
development from a wide perspective, such as building a network of urban facilities
that needs to cover wide areas, or preventing disorderly urbanization. With thesethings in mind, we will also consider urban development methods that encompass theTokyo area.

Areas targeted for urban reconstruction will basically bethose that natural disasters or the like have damaged

10

3-2

Urban reconstruction policies① Realizing the urban vision outlined in the Grand Design for
Urban Development4 (p.5)
We will strive to realize the urban vision outlined in theGrand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5), not only inordinary times but also during the reconstruction process
after a disaster. We will also endeavor to realize the Policy
for Improvement, Development and Preservation of City
Planning Areas (Master Plan for City Planning Areas)7.
While doing so, we will bear in mind future population
numbers and other projections, as well as land use
guidelines, as described in the Grand Design for Urban
Development4 (p.5).

② Making the city even more strong by flexibly revising plans
Massive earthquakes and the tsunami that accompany them—as well as sedimentdisasters and flood damages that accompany torrential rains—have caused serious
damage in Japan in recent years, including the destruction of buildings. And according
to the metropolitan government’s Damage Estimates in Tokyo due to an Earthquake
directly hitting Tokyo (published on April 18, 2012), will cause fires to break out in areas ofclose-set wooden houses. This will burn down buildings and cause substantial damage.
We are working on a long-term and systematic plan and promote various disasterprevention urban development that can respond precisely to disasters that cause
massive damage, including an earthquake directly hitting the capital and large-scale
flood damage.
Meanwhile, there are concerns that the same level of damage may occur after afuture disaster if we only achieve the current Master Plan for City Planning Areas7.
In such instances, we will undertake reviews that also consider future population
numbers and other projections—as well as revised land use guidelines—whilepursuing the urban vision described in the Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5),
and revise the Master Plan for City Planning Areas.
During the course of those reviews, we will aim for even greater resiliency bystudying responses to the various natural disasters that might occur in relevant areas.
That includes floods that occur individually as well as compound disasters such as
flood damage that occurs when a typhoon overlaps with an earthquake.
7

In accordance with Article 6, paragraph 2 of the City Planning Act, this is the basic urban planning policy that
prefectures specify from a cross-jurisdictional standpoint. The December 2014 decision is the most recent, but
we are now considering revisions based on the Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5). Please refer to part 1
about city planning areas in the glossary in section 3 of the reference notes (p. 22 of this publication).

11

Urban development
in ordinary times① Urban Vision That Tokyo Should Pursue in the 2040s
Grand Design for Urban Development4 (p.5)

Working to realize the urban
vision we should pursue② Basic Policies for City Planning (master plan)
Master Plan for City Planning Areas7 (p.11) (Tokyo Metropolitan Government)
Master Plan for City Planning (municipalities)8 (p.13)

Bearing basic policies in mind

③ Specific urban planning④ Various types of urban development plans

Working to realize the plans⑤ Urban development project, regulations and induction
Construction related to roads, eliminating utility poles, parks,
rivers, waterworks and sewers

Realizing the
Urban Vision That
Tokyo Should
PursueReconstruction and urban development
after a disaster occurs
・As a rule, carried out in line with ② through ⑤・However, when there are concerns that the same level of damage
following those steps alone, we will also consider revising ② through ⑤12

③ Realizing urban construction smoothly by cooperating andintegrating related plans
When a disaster such as earthquake directly hitting the capital occurs, the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government will prepare and publish a Basic Urban Reconstruction Planfor the City of Tokyo9 on the basis of the Master Plan for City Planning Areas7 (p.11). Thisis done by cooperating on and integrating Municipalities’ Basic Urban Reconstruction
Plans9 prepared on the basis of Municipalities’ Basic Guidelines Pertaining to City
Planning (Master Plan for City Planning 8 ) and the Area Reconstruction and City
Planning9 that individual areas compile. The Master Plan for City Planning Areas7 (p.11)
may be revised as needed to reflect the published plan.
Note that revisions to these plans will be considered as appropriate to carry out urban
reconstruction smoothly, keeping in mind changes in socio-economic situation andthe status of progress on implementing these programs.

Relationship between urban development plans inordinary times and during reconstruction
Ordinary times
Tokyo
Metropolitan
Government

Policy for Improvement, Development andPreservation of City Planning Areas(Master Plan for City Planning Areas7 (p.11))

DisasteroccursSpecific urban
planning

Serving as the basis for…

Municipalities

During reconstruction
Basic Urban Reconstruction
Plan for the City of Tokyo9
Cooperation
andintegration

Municipalities’ Basic Guidelines Pertaining to City Planning(Master Plan for City Planning8)
Overallconcepts

Specific urban
planning

Area-specificconcepts

Specific urban
planning

Municipalities’ Basic Urban
Reconstruction Plans9
Area Reconstruction and City
Planning9・The Master Plan for City Planning
Areas and Master Plan for City
Planning will be revised as needed・Revisions will be made based onchanges in socio-economic situationand the status of progress on
implementing these programs

8

9

In accordance with article 18, paragraph 2 of the City Planning Act, matters pertaining to community-level urban
planning are to be specified.
Plans to be prepared in the wake of a disaster, such as an earthquake directly hitting the capital, are specified in
the March 2016 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Manual.

13

10

3-3 Cooperating on reconstruction in other sectors

Reconstruction housing, livelihoods and industries will be essential in the course ofurban reconstruction, so we will cooperate on these.

① Cooperating on reconstructing housing
During reconstruction following massive disasters in recent years, strategies forreconstructing housing have played a significant role in efforts to quickly ensure thelifestyle stability of residents. As such, we will cooperate and cooperate on supplying
and reconstructing housing following disasters as we carry out urban reconstruction.

② Cooperating on reconstructing livelihoods
In the wake of a disaster, it is crucial to reconstruct livelihoods and restore disastervictims’ lives to their pre-disaster status and stability as quickly as possible. As such,
we will cooperate and cooperate on welfare, public health, and medical care as we
carry out urban reconstruction.

③ Cooperating on reconstructing industries
Among other aspects related to quickly ensuring lifestyle stability, we will be called
upon to promptly restore and reconstruct industries following a disaster to ensurethat Tokyo residents stay employed. We will also have to make Tokyo a city thatpeople around the world select for work and tourism. As such, we will cooperate andcoordinate on reconstructing industries in the wake of a disaster as we carry out urban
reconstruction.

10

Reconstructing procedures and implementation systems for the urban, housing, livelihoods and industries aredescribed in the March 2016 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Manual.

14

Urban Reconstruction

Reconstructing
housing

Reconstructing
livelihoods

15

Reconstructing
industries

3-4

Cooperating urban reconstruction among diverse constituents
Learning from major disasters in recent years, we will need to unite and marshal
all our capabilities to reconstruct the capital city of Tokyo as quickly as possible
following major damage such as an earthquake directly hitting the capital. This will
involve cooperating with the national and local governments in Tokyo and neighboringmunicipalities and prefectures, along with a wide range of related parties, including
disaster victims and companies that suffered damage, NPOs, volunteers, specialists
and companies.
Additionally, we will effectively use various city planning programs related
to reconstruction and urban development to respond to the various needs ofdisaster victims and companies, while at the same time promoting restoration andreconstructing efforts among Tokyo residents and companies.

Disastervictims andcompanies that
suffereddamageNPOs
Volunteers

Companies
and Tokyo
residents

Specialists

Government

16

3-5

Urban reconstruction period
Along with quickly and fully reconstructing people’s lives, we will need to maintainand strengthen Tokyo’s international competitiveness while the capital city is being
reconstructed. Our goal will therefore be to complete various urban reconstruction
projects as swiftly as possible.
However, some projects will undoubtedly take longer if the operations involved arecomplex and far reaching, such as when the damage is spread over a wide area and aneed for drastic efforts arises.
With that in mind, we will strive to reconstruct the city in the shortest time possible(roughly five to ten years), focusing on reconstruction projects related to reconstructing
livelihoods and the economy.
Meanwhile, we will also steadily implement mid-term to long-range projects, such as
trunk roads needed for the future.

Immediately after a disaster damage

Following reconstruction

Reconstructing livelihoods
and the economy

The shortest time possible(roughly five to ten years)

Mid-term to long range

Immediately
after a disasterdamageFollowingreconstruction

17

Looking a head
These basic policies were drafted as part of our efforts to involve residents andother parties in Tokyo in pre-disaster urban reconstruction planning11 so that we canreconstruct the city promptly and systematically. We want people to think about predisaster urban reconstruction methods, procedures and implementation systems
before they are needed.
As such, we will keep Tokyo residents, companies and others informed about thesebasic policies during ordinary times as well as when these policies are put to use
following a disaster.
Because metropolitan and municipal government employees must fully understandthese basic policies, we will also incorporate them into exercises such as communitytraining or “disaster imagination games” (DIGs) used to formulate plans related
to urban reconstruction. These exercises are designed to improve the practicalcapabilities of government employees.
Moreover, we will ensure effectiveness by revising the Master Plan for City Planning
Areas7 (p.11) and modifying the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Plan for Local Disaster
Preparedness Measure12 to reflect these basic policies.
Please note that these basic policies will also be revised as necessary.
We believe it is essential to cooperate with diverse constituents during ordinary
times because—as the basic policies explain—we will need to cooperate with thoseentities to reconstruct the city together following a disaster.
As such, we will cooperate with residents and other parties in Tokyo, and relevantorganizations during ordinary times so that we can reconstruct the city quickly andsystematically following a disaster. We will also test out various schemes as we
proactively carry out pre-disaster urban reconstruction planning.

11

Refer to reference note 1 on page 19 of this publication for information about Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s efforts related to
pre-disaster urban reconstruction planning.
12 ・A plan drafted by the Tokyo Disaster Management Council, as prescribed by the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act.
・Describes the metropolitan government’s local disaster preparedness efforts and emergency, restoration and reconstruction measures
・The earthquake section reflects corrections made in 2019
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Plan for Local Disaster Preparedness Measurehttps://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/taisaku/torikumi/1000061/1000903/index.html

18Reference Notes
1

Tokyo Metropolitan Government pre-disaster urban reconstruction planning
Along with the efforts on disaster-prevention urban development as part of provisions
for a disaster such as earthquake directly hitting the capital, the metropolitan governmentis carrying out pre-disaster urban reconstruction planning13. This involves coming up with
post-disaster urban reconstruction methods, procedures and implementation systems toreconstruct the city quickly and systematically in the wake of a disaster, and sharing that
information with residents and other parties in Tokyo and others.

① Putting implementation systems in place: Post-disasterreconstruction procedures and implementation systems

Compilation of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Manual

For Tokyo residents14

For government employees

The metropolitan government’s pre-disaster urban reconstruction planning for a disaster such as earthquake directly
hitting the capital
http://www.toshiseibi.metro.tokyo.jp/bunyabetsu/bosai/shuto.html
14
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Manual, The Reconstruction Measures Section
https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/bousai/1000031/1003362.html
1319

② Public awareness campaigns for Tokyo residents
Metropolitan government events include public awareness campaigns each year that
inform residents and other parties in Tokyo about our Urban Reconstruction Principles,
Goals and Basic Policies and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Earthquake Disaster
Reconstruction Manual.

Symposium on reconstruction from disaster, with
Tokyo residents participating

Exhibition at emergency drills andTokyo disaster preparedness exhibition

Moreover, in fiscal 2019 we started an assistance program—related to promoting
public awareness of local cooperative community reconstruction—to support
private sector organizations and municipalities that hold seminars and workshops
where residents and other parties in Tokyo and others can learn about the urban
reconstruction process.

③ Improving the practical capabilities of government employees
To improve the practical skills of metropolitan and municipal government employees,
we conduct exercises such as community-training or “disaster imagination games”(DIGs) annually, preparing various urban reconstruction plans for various situations.

20

2Deliberation process
Grand Design for Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction① Learning from what occurred during major disasters such as the Great
Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, we prepared and presented our Grand
Design for Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction6 (p.8) to Tokyo residents in2001 as a post-quake reconstruction and urban development plan for
quickly and systematically reconstructing the city after a disaster such as
earthquake directly hitting the capital. This plan provides explanations aboutreconstruction principles, goals and basic policies.
Major disasters subsequently occurred throughout the country(Torrential rains in the Tokai region, earthquakes in the Chuetsu area, the Great East
Japan Earthquake, a major fire in Itoigawa, the earthquake in Kumamoto, and so on)

Grand Design for Urban Development

says: “The② The September 2017 Grand Design for Urban Development
basic policy on urban development in post-disaster reconstruction will bepresented as a regional plan of the city and shared with Tokyo residents
beforehand.”4 (p.5)Major disasters have also occurred since(Northern Osaka Prefecture earthquake, torrential rains in western Japan, Hokkaido
Eastern Iburi earthquake, and so on)

Urban Reconstruction Principles, Goals and Basic Policies③ From September 2018 to March 2019, experts and the heads of relevant
municipal departments served as members of the metropolitan basic urban
reconstruction plan review committee, discussing urban reconstruction
principles, goals and basic policies corresponding to the issues of a new era.
④ Urban reconstruction principles, goals and basic policies (draft) werecompiled and then published on May 10, 2019 as the foundation of urban
reconstruction philosophy to deal with damage occurring because of natural
disasters or the like.
⑤ Residents and other parties in Tokyo and municipalities were asked forsuggestions from May 10 to June 14, 2019
⑥ The final version of the basic policies was released on June 28, 201921

3

Glossary① City planning areas

Under article 5 of the City Planning Act, a “city planning area” is an area
designated as an integrated urban zone that requires comprehensive improvement,
development and/or preservation.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has specified twenty-six city planning areas
within the metropolitan region in the Master Plan for City Planning Areas7 (p.11).

Metropolitan Region City Planning Areas
Tokyo metropolitan city planning areas
Municipality

Scope

Central Tokyo

All administrative areas
and the water surface
area linking the mouthsof the Edo and TamariversNineteen Tama area city planning areas
Municipality

Scope

Hachioji

All administrative areas

TachikawaMusashimurayama
Higashiyamato

All administrative areas

Musashino

All administrative areas

MitakaAll administrative areas

Fuchu

All administrative areas

Chofu
Komae

All administrative areas

Ome

All administrative areas

Akishima

All administrative areas

MachidaAll administrative areas

KoganeiAll administrative areas

Hino

All administrative areas

KodairaAll administrative areas

Kokubunji

All administrative areas

Higashimurayama
KiyoseHigashikurume

All administrative areas

Six island area city planning areas

Kunitachi

All administrative areas

Municipality

Scope

Nishitokyo

All administrative areas

OshimaAll administrative areas

Hachijo

All of Hachijo Island

All administrative areas

MiyakeAll of Miyake Island

Fussa
HamuraMizuhoKozushima

All of Kozu Island

Tama
Inagi

All administrative areas

Akiruno
HinodeAll administrative areas

Niijima

All of Nii Island

Ogasawara

All of Chichi and Haha islands22

② Towards Achieving Sustainable Urban Development― ESG and SDGs ―Co l umn
Towards Achieving Sustainable Urban Development― ESG and SDGs ―the international community as a whole,including developed countries, a comprehensive 17 goals with a deadline of 2030, theso-called SDGs (Sustainable Development
Goals) was adopted.
SDGs aims to realize a "society where no one
is left behind" and places emphasis on therole played by private enterprises in solving
problems facing the international community,
such as eradicating poverty, fighting inequalities disparities and tackling climate change.
With the adoption of SDGs, private enterprises have also accelerated efforts towards asustainable society, and it is expected thatthe increase of corporate activities that arehighly evaluated in terms of ESG investment
will advance the formation of a sustainable
society that can tackle with global environmental problems. Even for urban management, it is also important to take the ESG into
account in working out a strategy for urban
development.

In recent years, the word ESG has beendrawing attention for the realization of sustainable development.
ESG is an acronym for Environment, Society and Governance, and it is becoming
more important to consider these factors as
efforts related to the growth and potential
improvement of sound and sustainable
companies when investors invest in companies.
Given the fact, that in 2015, the Government Pension Investment Fund signed thePrinciples for Responsible Investment thatthe view of ESG should be reflected/incorporated in investment decision-making process", which was proposed by the then UN
Secretary-General, Kofi Annan in 2006 to
the financial industry in each member country, ESG investing has been drawing muchattention even in Japan.
Meanwhile, at a United Nations Summit in
September 2015, as a development goal for

Balance reducing environmental
impact with creating vitality andliveliness to make Tokyo azero-emission city

Urban development that takes ESG factors into account

Realize a safe and securesociety where everyone canplay an active role

Advance initiatives based on the urban
development cycle (research/planning,
construction/development, maintenance/utilization, renewal)

Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Grand Design for Urban Development (September 2017) 4 (p.5)

23For more information
Planning Section, Urban Development Projects Division, Bureau of Urban Development,
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
11F (north side), Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No 2, 2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8001
Phone: 03-5320-5214
The metropolitan government’s reconstruction preparations for a disaster such as earthquake directly
hitting the capital (Tokyo Metropolitan Government website)

http://www.toshiseibi.metro.tokyo.jp/bunyabetsu/bosai/shuto.html

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