October 2023

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Greenery Initiatives

0Green Urban Development
for the Next 100 Years
Taking every available opportunity to create and preserve greenery, the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government (TMG) has advanced a range of efforts to date, withthe aim to increase the quantity and quality of greenery throughout our city.
Meanwhile, in recent years, we have seen a shift in trends related to green
space, including the functions expected of cities and people’s values. For
example, greenery is being used to help address social issues, including inclimate adaptation measures, and the need for open green spaces has
increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Harmony between the naturalenvironment and urban functions is valued more than ever before across theglobe, with overseas cities engaged in promoting green infrastructure and otherinitiatives.
Against this backdrop, the TMG launched “Tokyo Green Biz” in July 2023. This
new green project looks 100 years into the future and aims to further enhancethe value of our city’s greenery, which brings a sense of ease and calm to daily
life, and to pass down our green spaces to future generations with thecooperation of Tokyo residents. Through strengthening efforts to protect,increase and connect, and utilize Tokyo’s greenery, we will advance thegreening of our city, the conservation of biodiversity, and other initiatives in our
push to transform Tokyo into a sustainable city that exists in harmony withnature.
This document highlights various societal trends and issues related to green
space, and introduces initiatives being promoted by the TMG from the threeperspectives of “protecting,” “increasing and connecting,” and “utilizing” ourgreenery.
We hope this will help deepen your understanding of Tokyo Green Biz, whichreflects our vision of green urban development for the next 100 years.

1Table of contents
1. Tokyo Green Biz: A New Green Project３❶ Overview of Tokyo Green Biz

４❷ Efforts to Protect Greenery● Introducing a new scheme to protect trees● Preservation and utilization of productive green land andfarmland● Promoting the designation of greenery-conservation areas

５
６
７
８

● Conservation and management of water conservation forests● Conservation of privately-owned greenery such as residential trees● Appropriate maintenance and management of roadside trees

９● Feature: Roadside trees

11

10
12

❸ Efforts to Increase and Connect Greenery● Maximizing the benefits of greenery and nature

13● Development of urban parks and green spaces

14● Development of marine parks

15● Creation of greenery on roads

16● Creation of green spaces according to private-sector development

17● Forming networks of greenery18● Feature:150 years since the creation of Tokyo’s parks

19
21❹ Efforts to Utilize Greenery● Working together with Tokyo residents

22● Use of funds and fundraising23● Utilizing public spaces to create places of lush greenery25

where people can relax

26● Forestry cycle and use of Tama timber

27● Feature: Forests and decarbonization

28

２．Reference Changes in circumstances surrounding greeneryin recent years
Appendix Glossary of terms

29

42

2

1. Tokyo Green Biz: A New Green ProjectHarmony between the natural environment andurban functions is highly valued across the globe.
We face a major turning point where we must decide
how we will shape our city and the lives of our residents.

(Greenery, Trees, & Green Spaces)(Private Entities)

Launch of a new green project to be promoted in cooperation withvarious stakeholders for the sake of Tokyo’s greenery

A vision that looks 100 years into the future and aims to enhancethe value of Tokyo’s greenery and pass it down to future generations
with the cooperation of residents, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
3Tokyo’s Greenery Initiatives
Protect, Increase and Connect, and Utilize
As a result of the climate crisis and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,
people’s values and the roles of cities are becoming increasingly diverse.
In order to adapt to shifting trends related to green space, we will strengthen ourefforts to protect, increase and connect, and utilize Tokyo’s greenery to advance thegreening of our city, the conservation of biodiversity, and other initiatives in our push
to transform Tokyo into a sustainable city that exists in harmony with nature.

Efforts to Protect
Greenery● Introducing a newscheme to protect trees● Conserving green

Efforts to Utilize
Greenery● Working together with
Tokyo residents● Promoting the agriculture

farmlandand forestry sectors● Promoting the● Making use of naturalpreservation of natural

lands

areas

Efforts to Increase and Connect Greenery● Maximizing the benefits ofgreenery and nature● Expanding greenery● Forming networks of greenery● Accelerating the development of
parks

4

Efforts to Protect Greenery● Introducing a new scheme to protect trees● Preservation and utilization of productive green land andfarmland● Promoting the designation of greenery-conservation areas● Conservation and management of water conservation forests● Conservation of privately-owned greenery such as residential
trees● Appropriate maintenance and management of roadside trees● Feature: Roadside trees

5Protect

Introducing a new scheme to protect trees

Overview
We will realize the following initiatives to establish a “Tree Bank,” a new framework toprotect trees.
Renovation of parks
and public spaces

From Tokyo
Metropolitan
Parks, etc.

Accepting trees
Land to accept andsafe-keep trees (ownedby the TMG)

To Tokyo
Metropolitan
Parks, etc.

Utilizing trees for thedevelopment of newparks, etc.
6Protect

Preservation and utilization of productive green land
and farmland

Overview
The roles of Tokyo’s farmland include providing fresh, safe, and secure agricultural
produce to residents’ tables, enriching people’s daily lives with a sense of ease andcalm, and serving as evacuation sites in disasters.
However, farmland, including productive green land, has decreased over the years, so
the TMG has been promoting initiatives to preserve beneficial urban farmland.
Designation status of specified

Main initiatives

productive green land

Changes in the area ofNondesignatedproductive green land(2022 target: 2,388 ha)

DesignatedYear(as of November 30, 2022)

In 2022, a large amount of productive green land will reach 30 years since its
designation, so procedures are being carried out by municipalities to designate
specified productive green land.
Examples of uses of farmland

Agricultural experience farmland

Training users at farmland for seniors

Agricultural wells for disaster response

7

Protect

Promoting the designation ofgreenery-conservation areas

Overview
In accordance with the “ordinances and enforcement regulations concerning
protection and recovery of nature in Tokyo,” as of December 2022, the TMG has
designated a total of 50 areas measuring around 760 ha as nature conservation areas

since 1974, which protect our valuable natural land.

Main initiatives

Mountain

Hills

Plateau

Lowland

Reclaimed land

The 50 designated areas(Mountainous areas: 2; hilly areas: 23; plateau areas: 25)

Designated nature
conservation areas

Historic environmental conservation area

Green space conservation area

Satoyama (woodland area near populatedarea) conservation area

8

Protect

Conservation and management ofwater conservation forests
Area of water conservation forests in the Tama River upper reaches

Overview

Water conservation
forests

OthersTokyo’s water conservation forests
cover around 50% of the watershed area

Area of TamaRiver upper
reachesin the upper reaches of the Tama River.
They are some of the largest forests managedby waterworks utilities in Japan.

(As of April 1, 2023)

The water conservation forests are managed appropriately
to ensure a stable supply of clean water from the upper reaches of the Tama River isdelivered to people living in Tokyo, and we strive for forest growth that enables
satisfactory water conservation forest functions.

Main initiatives
Work to conserve water conservation
forests involves forestry maintenance,measures against animal damage andinsect damage, and maintenance offorest facilities such as paths, with theaims of healthy growth andMaintaining a path for forest management(fence made from timber from thinning)

management of the forests.
BeforeThinning (the selective removal of stunted trees and others)

After

9

Protect

Conservation of privately-owned greenerysuch as residential trees

Special green space conservation areas
Overview
Based on the Urban Green Space Conservation Act, these are designated green spaces that form
favorable natural environments in the city.
Tax breaks and other incentives reduce the burden of owning land with trees, while restrictions are
imposed on actions such as building and felling trees and bamboo.

Main initiatives
There are 53 designated areas in Tokyo, covering around 321 ha. (As of April 2023)

Special green space conservation area in Nishiarai
Sakaecho, Adachi City

Special green space conservation area in Shimohoya 4Chome, Nishitokyo City

Urban Green Space Contract System
Overview
Based on the Urban Green Space Conservation Act, this is a system that enables local publicorganizations to form contracts with landowners, etc. to establish and manage green spaces for residents.
The contracts are for five years or more, and have the advantage of reducing the burden of managementfor owners.

Main initiatives
There are 56 urban green spaces designated in Tokyo (As of March 2022)

Kita Karasuyama 9-Chome residential forest urban green
space, Setagaya City

Yanbana Ikoi-no-mori, Suginami City

(Source) Website of Setagaya City

(Source) Website of Suginami City

10

Protect

Appropriate maintenance andmanagement of roadside trees

Overview
Roadside trees are being grown with the aim of creating warm and comfortable streetscapes for agood city environment. To maintain and manage them, we prune tall trees, clip shrubs, prevent
insects that can cause damage, and examine the trees for disease.

Main initiatives
Appropriate pruning is carried out in accordance with the characteristics and aims of each group ofroadside trees.
There are two main types and periods of pruning.

Basic pruning(Winter pruning)

Light pruning(Summer pruning)This is mainly for deciduous trees,
and aims to shape the overall
This is carried out with the aims of adjusting the density of the branches that have sprouted,
correctly arranging the tree canopy, preventing trees from falling due to strong winds in a
typhoon, etc., and preventing the onset of disease and insect damage.

We also took the opportunity of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic &Paralympic Games to systematically prune trees to ensure
shade as a countermeasure against the summer heat.

In the future, we will increase the target routes and promote
Creating shade

this initiative.

If appropriate maintenance and management is not carried out, a variety of issues can arise,
including reduced visibility of traffic lights, traffic accidents due to fallen trees, and incidentsof people falling due to rising tree roots.

Reduced visibility of traffic lights

Fallen tree

Uneven sidewalk due to rising tree roots

11Roadside trees

FeatureThe roadside trees on public roads, often planted in rows, are greenery that wehave many chances to see on a daily basis.
The essential role of public roads is to facilitate the safe and easy movement ofpeople and goods, and the creation of greenery here also adds the role of creating
comfortable urban spaces in which we can feel the transition of the four seasonsin the city.
As of April 1, 2023, there are around 1 million roadside trees in Tokyo, andaround 650,000 are managed by the TMG.

Top 5 roadside trees in Tokyo (no. of trees)
1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

GinkgoCherry trees

Trident maple

Zelkova

OthersTotal

773,366

1,000,546

Flowering
dogwood

60,84858,85842,971

35,63028,873*As of April 1, 2023

Ogawayamatanashisen-line (Kodaira City)
Flowering dogwoods

Gyoko-Dori Avenue (Chiyoda-ku)
GingkoNakano-Dori Avenue (Nakano-ku)
Yoshino cherry trees

Visualizing roadside trees
The Digital Twin 3D Viewer released by the TMG
reproduces buildings and streets in cyberspace andvisualizes information about roadside trees on each publicroad in three special wards in the heart of the city.
Digital Twin 3D Viewer

12Efforts to increase and connect greenery● Maximizing the benefits of greenery and nature● Development of urban parks and green spaces● Development of marine parks● Creation of greenery on roads● Creation of green spaces according to private-sector
development● Forming networks of greenery● Feature:150 years since the creation of Tokyo’s parks

13

Increase/
Connect

Maximizing the benefits of greeneryand nature

Overview
We are promoting the introduction of green infrastructure in the facilities owned by
the TMG and private facilities to make use of the functions of the naturalenvironment to solve social issues.

Greenbelt for rainfall infiltration (rain garden)(Source) Website of New York City

Rooftop greening (On the roof of the Tokyo
Metropolitan Assembly building)

Development of a multi-natural river system for biodiversity(Nishitokyo City)

14

Increase/
Connect

Accelerating the development ofurban parks and green spaces

Overview
The greenery of parks and green spaces has various roles: it increases comfort andstateliness, offers places of serenity and recreation, improves the urban
environment, and ensures spaces for disaster prevention. Tokyo Metropolitan

Parks have been newly expanded and the TMG offers support for the developmentof municipal parks.

Main initiatives
To date, a total of 2,063 ha have been

Changes in area of Tokyo
Metropolitan parks

developed as Tokyo Metropolitan parks.

As of June 1, 2023

The aim is for 2,168 ha in FY2023.

Target in FY2030*The values on the graph up to FY2022 are for April 1.

(Year)

Nerima Castle Ruins Park

Takaido Park

Rokusen Park

Nakato Park

15

Increase/
Connect

Development of marine parks

Overview
We have been developing marine parks on reclaimed land in Tokyo as spaces
where people can feel and experience the sea and nature, as well as enjoy
recreation such as sports and bird watching.
There are currently 40 parks open, including Odaiba Marine Park.

Main initiatives
Changes in area of marine parks
To date, a total of 878 ha have been
End of FY2022

developed as marine parks. The aim is for980 ha in FY2028.
Target in
FY2028*The values on the graph up to FY2021 are for April 1. The values for
FY2022 are for the end of the fiscal year

(Year)

Umi-no-mori Park

Odaiba Marine Park

Harumi Wharf Park © TOKYO PORT TERMINAL CORPORATION.

Ariake Seaside Park

16

Increase/
Connect

Creation of greenery on roads

Overview
The greenery on roads has various roles, including offering people a sense ofease and calm, improving the urban environment, and creating beautiful
cityscapes.
We have been developing greenery on City roads to demonstrate the roles ofroadside greenery to their fullest extent.

Main initiatives
Around 1 million roadside trees are being
grown on all of the types of roads (which
consist of national roads, metropolitan
roads and special Ward/municipal roads)
in Tokyo.

Type

No. of trees
managedNational roads

24,234

Metropolitan
roadsSpecial Ward
roads
Municipal roads

645,875
206,451
123,986*As of April 1, 2023

Roadside trees<Omotesando in Shibuya City>

Green wall <Shinkoganei-kaido in Kodaira City>

Making the road greener<Uchibori-Dori in Chiyoda City>

Road divider <Metropolitan Road 153 in Tachikawa City>

17

Increase/
Connect

Creation of green spaces according to
private-sector development

Overview
The TMG is creating new greenery in the city by promoting greenery creation withprivate-sector development through mechanisms to appraise greenery creation andconservation initiatives in urban development.

Main initiatives
Changes in green coverage ratio in three
special wards in the heart of the city

The green coverage ratio in
three special wards in the heartof the city, where urban
development is underway, hasbeen increasing.
Recent large-scale private-sector
developments in places such as
Takeshiba, Azabudai, andOtemachi have created 60,000
m2 of new greenery in total.

(Year)

Chiyoda City

Chuo City

Azabudai Hills

Minato City

(Sources)
Report on the Survey of Actual Conditions of Greeneryand Heat Distribution in Chiyoda City (Chiyoda City)
Report on the 5th Survey of Actual Conditions ofGreenery in Chuo City (Chuo City)
Report on the 10th Survey of the Actual Conditions ofGreenery in Minato City (Minato City)

Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba18

Increase/
Connect

Forming networks of greeneryWe are promoting initiatives to realize a Tokyo filled with water and greenery by developing parks andgreen spaces, and also by forming networks that make the most of roads and watersides.

Conservation ofgreenery on cliffs

Conservation of
productive green
spaces andfarmlandCreation of spaces
with peoplecentered lush
greenery

Promotion ofdevelopment of urban
planning parks, etc.

Formation of networks ofgreenery by utilizing
existing greenery

Promotion of greening
according to opportunities
from private-sector
development

Reforestation of
Tama

Cliff
River

Development ofmarine parksMainframeworkof waterandgreenery

Restoring the water of the outer moat using the Tamagawa Josui Aqueduct

Overview

We are promoting improved water quality in the outer moat, which is ahistoric property, working to provide a rejuvenating area for people
working in the heart of the city and to create elegant scenery.

Main
initiatives

We are running study sessions for children focusing on the outer moat andTamagawa Josui Aqueduct so we can drive the purification of the moat and preserve
spaces with water and greenery for the future.

Outer moat

Tamagawa Josui Aqueduct

19Increase/増やし
Connect
つなぐ

Forming networks of greenery
Regeneration of Tokyo Expressway (KK Expressway)

Overview
To create new value and charm in Tokyo, we are promoting initiatives to regenerate
the space above the Tokyo Expressway (KK Expressway) as a “Tokyo Sky
Corridor,” a corridor in the air surrounded by greenery.

Main initiatives
The goals of regenerating and using the KK Expressway, the vision that is our aim,and policies for development have been established as City policies.

Images of regeneration

A new network of greenery will be created in Tokyo

You can spend time in a restful space with a sense of greeneryand enrichment

We held an event called “Ginza Skywalk” so people could experience a pedestrianspace, giving more people a sense of the finished image.

20

Feature

150 years since the creation of Tokyo’sparks

The parks system was launched in 1873, meaning it has been 150 years since Ueno Park andShiba Park, the first Tokyo Metropolitan parks, were opened.

Logo of the project for the 150th anniversary of the Tokyo
City public park system

Special ambassador for the 150th anniversary project(Official character of Ueno Park)Tokyo boasts a variety of Metropolitan parks, including the two above, gardens designated as acultural property, parks with facilities where people can enjoy sport, and even zoos and botanicalgardens. The current number of Metropolitan parks is 84.

Ueno Park

Hibiya Park

(the first Tokyo Metropolitan park)(forerunner of modern western-style parks)

Hama-rikyu Gardens

Komazawa Olympic Park

(A Japanese garden designated as a cultural property)(Venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics)

21

Efforts to Utilize Greenery● Working together with Tokyo residents● Use of funds and fundraising● Utilizing public spaces to create places of lush greenery
where people can relax● Forestry cycle and use of Tama timber● Feature: Forests and decarbonization

22

Utilize

Working together with Tokyo residents“Tokyo Green Biz Movement”

Overview
We will use the Forest Environmental Concession Tax to develop the Tokyo Green Biz
Movement, which will utilize and foster greenery in cooperation with Tokyo residents.

Tree-planting event(Source) Tama City website

Tree planting at Umi-no-Mori Park
(Photos taken at the time of tree planting)

Development and management in cooperation with Tokyo residents

23

Utilize

Working together with Tokyo residents

Overview
The TMG is promoting initiatives that will utilize and foster greenery to be passed
down to the next generation in sympathy and cooperation with Tokyo residents, tocreate a restful environment in which anyone can be close to greenery in Tokyo.
These initiatives will also contribute to the revitalization of local communities,
multi-generational exchanges, and environmental education for children.

Main initiatives
Holding events such as forestry

maintenance, rice planting, rice
harvesting, nature observation, and craft
experience programs to maintainenvironments in which diverse living
Bureau of Environment “Satoyama!” website

things coexist.

With the participation of Tokyo residents,
approximately 240,000 saplings wereplanted on a garbage heap 30 m high,transforming it into a beautiful forest.
Umi-no-mori Park

These saplings were purchased using funds gathered from residents and privatecompanies, and raised from acorns by elementary school students and tree-growing
volunteers.

24

UtilizeUse of funds and fundraising

Overview
Using the Tokyo Metropolitan Greening Fund, the Tokyo Metropolitan Parks Supporter
Fund, and Tokyo Fundraising for Flowers and Greenery, we are promoting greening
projects with support from Tokyo residents and companies.

Main initiatives▶ Tokyo Metropolitan Greening Fund

Project to support street corner greening

Project to support street corner greening(BRANCH Chofu)(Tokyo Shoken Building Inc.)

Project to support flowerbed and garden
creation activities (Shiba Park, Minato City)▶ Tokyo Metropolitan Parks Supporter Fund

Project to conserve and promulgate cherrytrees (Ueno Park)

Replenishing an herb garden (Higashimurayama
Central Park)

Gardening show 2022 (Hibiya Park)▶ Tokyo Fundraising for Flowers and Greenery

Project to conserve greeneryrich in biodiversity

Flowers and greenery
hospitality project

Afforestation project with little
pollenProject to create places foreducation about the naturalenvironment

25

Utilize

Utilizing public spaces to create places of lush
greenery where people can relax

Overview
We are promoting initiatives to reorganize public spaces such as roads and plazas
into urban spaces with lush greenery where people can relax and enjoy a walk.

Main initiatives
We are working on events that use sidewalks and public open spaces so visitors canenjoy their experience of Shinjuku, with the aim of reorganizing urban spaces in the

Nishi-Shinjuku area.
Image of future

Now
Image of the future

Now
Holding an event
A symbolic space that
Images ©2023 Google、 Landsat / Copernicus、Data Japan Hydrographic Association、Data SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO、
Map data ©2023 Google 20ｍ

spearheads a “newNishi-Shinjuku area”
that comes together withthe surrounding streets.

FUN MORE TIME SHINJUKU(Nishi-Shinjuku area)

Expanding initiatives through local organizations and municipal governments, etc.

Marunouchi Street Park 2023 Summer (Marunouchi Naka-Dori Street)

IKEBUKURO LIVING LOOP (Green Odori)

26

Utilize

Forestry cycle and use of Tama timber

Overview
Around 40% of the total area of Tokyo is forest. These forests offer versatilefunctions, including providing timber, forming plentiful water resources, andcontaining sediment runoff and protecting residents from disasters.
These forests are an asset shared by Tokyo residents, and to pass them on to the next
generation, the TMG is promoting the establishment of sustainable forest cycle andstronger management capabilities in the forestry industry.

Main initiatives
Amount of Tama timber handled in the pulpwood market

Tama timber (TMG project)
Tama timber (not from TMG
project)
Others（FY）(Source) 2021 survey of Tokyo forests, forestry (Bureau of Industrial and Labor
Affairs), and TMG

The amount of Tama timber is steadily increasing, and around 80% of this is wood
felled through TMG projects.
Examples of use of Tama timber

WITH HARAJUKU (Shibuya City)

Keio Asobi no Mori HUGHUG (Hino City)

Hub to communicate the appeal of
Tama timber

TOKYO MOKUNAVI

27

Feature

Forests and decarbonization

In recent years, the area of Japan’s forests has remained more-or-less stable, but “forest stock,” an estimationof forest resources, has continued to increase.
On the other hand, there is a tendency for forests’ greenhouse gas absorption volume to decrease with theaging of planted forests.
To ensure forests’ absorption, we are promoting a forestry cycle of “fell, use, plant, grow.” Additionally,
revisions were made to the J-Credit Scheme in August 2022* to facilitate the steady creation of young forests.
*For details see the J-Credit Scheme website (https://japancredit.go.jp/about/revision/)

Changes in forest stock volume and forest absorption volume
due to carbon sink measures**New planting and replanting activities and forest management activities, etc.
Stock volume

Absorption volume(1 million m³)(ktCO₂ conversion)

Forest stock volume
Forest absorption rate
(Source) Created based on the Forestry Agency’s “Status of Forest Resources (2017)” and the National Institute for Environmental Studies’ “Japan’sGreenhouse Gas Emissions Data (1990 to FY2021)”(10,000 ha)

Changes in area by class of planted forest

CO2 absorption volume by type and age of wood(tCO₂ conversion/ha)

Cedar
Cypress

Majority = atleast class 10(Wood age morethan 45 years)

Class *Wood age in units of five years(Source) Created based on documents from the Forestry Agency’s First Forestry
Subcommittee

Declines after peaking
at wood age of around
15–20 years

Wood age(Source) Created based on Nagano Prefecture’s “‘Project to Promote Forest Fostering’CO2 absorption calculation standards”

28

2. Reference Changes in circumstances
surrounding greenery in recent years

Status of greenery
Although there was a tendency for it to decrease, in recent years Tokyo’s greenery has
stabilized thanks to the development of parks, conservation of productive green spaces,
and the creation of greenery with any given opportunity.
1991
Changes in green ratio
Tama

Entire Tokyo
area

Forest area
Grassland
Agricultural land
Parks
Rivers
23 Wards

2016

Year
【Green ratio】 The proportion (%) of the total area of the region thatconsists of ground covered by greenery and park/water areas.

Park area
The proportion of the area of the prefecture occupied by urban parks is larger in Tokyo
than in any other prefecture

Proportion of prefecture that is urban park area

Tokyo (23 wards)

Tokyo Metropolis

Osaka Pref.

Kanagawa Pref.

Saitama Pref.

Aichi Pref.

Fukuoka Pref.

(Source) Created based on Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications documents

29

The social environment
surrounding greenery
Rising global
temperatures
Increasingly
severe natural

The required role of greenery
Example of use of greenery overseas (Singapore)

Solving social
issues by using
greenerydisasters

Changes inpeople’s values
and behavior with

(Source) PUB Bishan Park pamphlet

Example of open green space overseas (New York)

Responding toa need for ample
spacesthe global
pandemic(Source) Bryant Park website

Image of the realization of “nature positive”

Realization of the
global goal of“nature positive”

Formation ofhubs forbiodiversity

Vision for 2050
Creating a rich societythat coexists with nature
2023 target
Putting biodiversity
on a path to recovery(Source) Bureau of Environment “Tokyo Biodiversity Strategy for 2030”

Global trend for wooden structures

Increasing
demand for wood
as a sustainable
material

Demonstrationof multi-faceted
functions offorests

Grand Palais Éphémère
(Paris)Helsinki Central Library (Helsinki)(Source) Helsinki City website

Main functions of urban farmland

Increasing global
demand for foodEffective use ofresources

Sustainable,
multi-purpose
agriculture
Provides fresh produce

Places for close farming
experiences/exchanges

Environmental
conservation(Source) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website

30

The social
environment
surrounding
greeneryRising global temperatures

A variety of risks are manifesting due to the rising global temperatures caused by climate change.

Increased temperature in JapanThe average temperatures in July this year were the hottest recorded temperatures in history.

Average temperature deviations in July in Japan
Trend=1.21(℃/100years )Thin line (black): Deviations from standard average temperature values each year Thick line (blue:) 5-year running average for deviations Straight line (red): Trend of long-term changeStandard values: Average values over the 30 years between 1991 and 2020
(Source) Japan Meteorological Agency website

Predicted rise in temperature in the future
The world is making efforts to limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5 ℃ compared tobefore the industrial revolution

Under sustainable development, scenario of a rise no morethan l.5℃.

(Source) Created based on the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Working Group I report

31

The social
environment
surrounding
greenery

Increasingly severe natural disasters
Due to climate change, increased rainfall is expected, and there will be increasingly
frequent and severe damage from wind and rain.

Changes in no. of occurrences of heavy rain
There is a tendency for an increased occurrence of heavy rain (of at least 50 mm in an hour) in a year.

No. of occurrences across 1,300 locations(No.)(Source) Created based on the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Working Group I report

Concentrated heavy rain due to linear precipitation zones
Once again, this year has seen record heavy rain due to linear precipitation zones across theentire country, and there has been significant damage.
Linear precipitation zone in Kochi Prefecture on June 2, 2023

Examples of heavy, concentrated rain fromlinear precipitation zones, etc.

July 14–19
Iwate Pref., Akita Pref., etc.

DamageFatalities: 1; Destroyed: 2buildings; Inundation above floor
level: 824 buildings

July 11–13
Precipitation
intensity

Iwate Pref., Toyama Pref., etc.
July 7–10
Fukuoka Pref., Saga Pref., etc.

Fatalities: 13; Destroyed: 16
buildings
Inundation above floor level: 768
buildings

June 28 – July 6
Yamaguchi Pref., Kumamoto Pref., etc.
June 1 –3
Kochi Pref., Wakayama Pref, etc.
(Source) Created based on the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Working Group I report

Fatalities: 5; Destroyed: 13 buildings
Inundation above floor level: 2,149
buildings

32

The
requiredrole ofgreenerySolving social issues by using greeneryWe need to use greenery to respond to increasingly severe wind and rain damage
caused by climate change and to solve social issues, including biodiversity conservation.

Examples of the use of greenery overseas
Cities in other countries are engaging in various green infrastructure initiatives.

An approach that attempts to use the functions of the naturalGreeninfrastructure

environment to solve a variety of issues in society, including
adapting to climate change and conserving biodiversity.

New York

Greenbelt for accumulation andinfiltration of rainwater(rain garden)(Source) New York City website

Singapore

A park that allows residents to become

familiar with nature and water in normal
times, and acts as a flood plain when theriver floods(Source) PUB Bishan Park pamphlet

33

The social
environment
surrounding
greenery

Changes in people’s values and behavior with theglobal pandemic
As globalization has advanced in recent years,

human behavior has changed, including ensuring social distancing and avoiding crowds in the COVID-19
pandemic, in which there is a growing risk of infectious disease from around the world spreading in Tokyo.

Repeatedly occurring infections
New diseases are repeatedly occurring around the world, and spreading across national borders
Years

Disease

B.C.E onwards

Smallpox

14th century onwards

Bubonic plague (epidemic in Europe)

1918 onwards

Spanish flu

1981 onwards

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

2002 onwards

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

2009 onwards

New strain of influenza (H1N1)

2012 onwards

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

2014 onwards

Ebola hemorrhagic fever (African epidemic)

2020 onwards

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

History of
infectious diseases
around the world(Source) Created based on Health, Labour, and Welfare white papers, National Hepatitis Institute website, etc.

Status of congestion in downtown areas
During the period of the declaration of a state of emergency and key measures to prevent the spread,the population of people spending time in downtown areas significantly decreased.
State of emergency declaration
Priority measures to preventthe spread of disease

Changes in population in downtown areas (at 9 pm)

Ginza
Roppongi
Ikebukuro
Kabukicho

Kabukicho

Roppongi

Ikebukuro

Ginza*Figures show the average rateof decrease from 7/24 to 7/30

● Created by TMG by processing data (*within a radius of 500 m from stations in Roppongi and Ikebukuro) from Agoop’s “Population movement analysis tool Papilio” (preliminary values, may be corrected in the future) ● Weekly rate of decrease calculatedusing January 2020 (Jan 6 – 31) as a standard (Source) Created based on TMG’s Office of the Governor for Policy Planning website

34

The
requiredrole ofgreeneryResponding to a need for ample spaces
The role required of cities and people’s values changed with the COVID-19 pandemic,
including an increased need for ample spaces such as parks and plazas

Awareness of urban spaces and nature
When it comes to initiatives required of cities, there is a lot of interest in enriching outdoor spaces.

Enrichment initiatives in urban centers and city centers
Enriching ample outdoor spaces such as parks, plazas, and terraces

Enriching spaces for bike rides and walks
Enriching environments for the use of automobiles such as
parking facilities
Enriching stores that enable eating outside and take-out
Enriching apps that help people understand congestion in
real-time
Other
Enriching outdoor (not indoor) events(Source) Created based on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism “Daily behavior survey under the effects of COVID-19 (no. 3)” (May 2023)

Example of an open green space overseas
The development of open green spaces is progressing in cities overseas.

New York

A lively park in which communities and private
business operators work together(Source) Bryant Park website

35

The social
environment
surrounding
greeneryRealization of the global goal “nature positive”

To contribute to the global goal “nature positive realization” we must stive to conserve biodiversity

COP15 and national trends
October 2021

December 2022

March 2023

COP15 Part
1 heldCOP15 Part
2 heldKunming Declaration“putting biodiversity on apath to recovery”

Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity FrameworkadoptedNational
Biodiversity
Strategy of Japanfor 2023－2030
formulated

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework“Nature Positive”

2030 mission

Urgent behavior to stop and reverse the loss of biodiversity to put
nature on a path to recovery.

State of biodiversity

Image of the realization of “nature positive”
Vision for 2050
Creating a richsociety that coexists
with nature

2023 target
Putting biodiversity ona path to recovery(Source) Bureau of Environment “TMG Biodiversity Area Strategy”

36

The
requiredrole ofgreeneryFormation of hubs for biodiversity
The expansion of conservation areas and the promotion of management and usage
makes these function as hubs for biodiversity.

Distribution of designated conservation areas
The distribution of the 50 designated conservation areas is: 2 mountainous areas; 23 hilly areas; 25 flat areas
Mountain

Hills

Plateau

Lowland

Reclaimed land

Designated nature
conservation areas(Source) Bureau of Environment “Conservation area conservation and utilization plan”

Existence and growth of diverse living things

Kingfisher

Golden orchid(Source) Bureau of Environment “Conservation area conservation and utilization plan” Overview version

Japanese eight-barbel loach

37

The social
environment
surrounding
greenery

Increasing demand for wood
as a sustainable material
Wooden materials and wooden structures are the subject of great expectations

as wood is a sustainable and renewable resource.

Wood as a non-plastic material
Compared to artificial resources such as plastic, wood is renewable and good for the environment.

Wooden straws

Wooden cutlery and tableware(Source) Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute website

A global trend for wooden structures
New wooden facilities are being built around the world
Grand Palais Éphémère (Paris)

Helsinki Central Library (Helsinki)(Source) Helsinki City website

38

The
requiredrole ofgreeneryDemonstration of multi-faceted
functions of forests
Aiming for the cyclic use of forest resources will demonstrate the multi-faceted functions offorests as well as ensuring appropriate forestry development and conservation.

Image of forest cycle
To maintain healthy forests, we create a cycle of planting, growing, and use when we utilize wood.

Forest development initiativewith the cooperation of multiple
local municipalities
The Agreement For Intracity
Collaboration for the Use of the Forest
Environment Concession Tax was
signed on July 31, 2023

(Source) Forestry Agency website

Main functions of forests
Creation of a comfortableenvironment

Global environmental conservation
Mitigation of global warming, stabilization of
the global temperature

Climate mitigation, atmospheric purification,
comfortable lifestyles, environmental creation(noise prevention)(Source) Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs “Forest Creation Promotion Plan”

Production of materials
Wood, food (mushrooms, etc.), industrial
resources, high-level raw materials

39

The social
environment
surrounding
greenery

Increasing global demand for foodEffective use of resources
With population growth, food production is a global issue.
We need to make effective use of our limited resources.

Predicted global demand for foodDue to population growth and economic development, the global demand for food in 2050 is expected toincrease by a factor of around 1.7 compared to 2010.
(100,000 tons)

Predicted global demand for food by item

Food 1.7
times
Of this,grain 1.7
times

1.8 times
1.2 times
1.6 times

1.7 times■Grain■Oilseeds■Sugar crop ■Stored goods(Source) Created based on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries “Predicted
Global Demand for Food in 2050”

Predicted cultivation area per person
It is predicted that the cultivation area per person will decrease in both developing and developed countries
Developed
counties

Globalaverage

Developing
countries(Source) FAO “World Agriculture Towards 2030/2050” (predictions for global food demand up to 2050)

40

The
requiredrole ofgreenerySustainable, multi-purpose agriculture

It is vital that we develop sustainable agriculture and protect the key agricultural industries in Tokyo
with a variety of functions

Main functions of urban farmland
Provides fresh produce

Environmental
conservation

Provides fresh produce thatAs urban greenery, retains

consumers demand,

rainfall water, adds tooffers information about foodgroundwater, protects living

and agriculture

thingsPlaces for close
farming experiencesand exchanges

Fosters an understandingof agriculture amongresidents

Exchanges between producers
Fosters an understanding ofand consumers through farming

agriculture among residents

experiences for Tokyo residents

through nearby urban agriculture

and children, exchanges and thesale of produce.

(Source) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website

Changes in farmland area
Farmland in Tokyo has decreased by 1,190 ha over ten years (2011–2021) (decrease ratio: 15.6%)
Area (ha)Changes in farmland area
農地面積の推移■Rice fields■Fields■Orchards, etc.

(Source) Created based on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries “Cultivated Land and Crop Area Statistics” *The totals may not add up due to rounding.

41Glossary of
terms

42

Glossary
Term

Pronunciation

MeaningAlpha-numeric
A
Agricultural experienceplantation
Aging class

A plantation in which people can experience farming with detailed guidance from farmers.

Aging forests. The age of the wood is expressed in classes in units of five years.

C
Conservation area

An area designated by the TMG based on an ordinance with the aim of protecting and restoring
nature.

G
Green coverage ratio

The proportion of area covered by greenery as seen from above, including woodland, grassland, andgreenery on roofs.
A suburban region in the city in which a natural environment such as trees or a waterside has

Green spaceconservation area

formed independently or together; an area that needs to be protected for its favorable naturalenvironment.
One type of conservation area designated by the TMG.

Green infrastructure

Green road

Approach that attempts to use the functions of the natural environment to solve a variety of issues insociety.

A road on which road greenery and the greenery of surrounding public facilities is developed
together.

H
Historic environment
conservation area

A region with nature that also has historical heritage; an area of land that that needs to be protected
for its favourable natural environment in addition to its historical heritage.
One type of conservation area designated by the TMG.

J
National certification scheme that gives “credits” for greenhouse gas (e.g. CO 2) emission reductions

J-Credit Scheme

and absorption through initiatives such as introducing energy-saving equipment and forestry
management.

K

KK Expressway

Road for automobiles managed and operated by the Tokyo Expressway Company.

M
Parks that make the most of the characteristics of coastal areas established on reclaimed land inTokyo; these parks are developed and managed by the Port Authority according to a different

Marine Park

regulatory system to Metropolitan parks (the Tokyo Metropolitan Marine Park Ordinance), based on
the Urban Parks Act.
There are three types: seaside parks, wharf parks, and green road parks.

43Glossary
Term

Pronunciation

MeaningP
Productive green land

Public open space

A mechanism for the systematic conservation of agricultural land in the city.

Open spaces and land that are open to the general public among sites with buildings. Events can beheld here using the urban development organization registration system.

R
An area of trees created to surround a residence. These are decreasing due to inheritance reasons,

Residential trees

etc. As of 2020, there were around 800 examples of residential trees in the city.
(TMG Bureau of Urban Development July 2020 “Comprehensive Policy for Securing Greenery” )SA region in which mixed tree groves, farmland, and springs come together and diverse creatures

Satoyama conservation
area

live, or a hillside region acknowledged to have potential for a favorable natural environment for lifeand regions consisting of the flat land around this; areas of land whose natural environments must
be restored and protected. One type of conservation area designated by the TMG.

Slope

Artificially created slopes modified from natural land by filling (adding soil) or cutting (removing
soil)

Special green spaceconservation area

System based on the Urban Green Space Conservation Act that serves as a mechanism to designate

Specified productive
green land

Mechanism for designated productive green land areas over 30 years old to extend the potential

green spaces where favorable natural environments are forming in the city.

purchase offer period by 10 years.

T
Tama River upper
reaches area

The Tama River watershed upriver of Hamura Intake Weir. The Tama River, the original waterTokyo Metropolitan
park

Parks established and managed by the TMG Bureau of Construction based on the Urban Parks Act

Tokyo Sky Corridor

source for Tokyo, runs from Yamanashi Prefecture through Tokyo and into Tokyo Bay.

and Urban Parks OrdinanceA public space for pedestrians being developed through the regeneration/use of the space above theTokyo Expressway (KK Expressway), currently used as a road for automobiles.

U
One type of urban planning facility set out in the City Planning Act.

Urban planning park

Mainly public spaces that aim to provide recreation such as rest, viewing, walks, games, and sport
in a natural environment, and facilitate evacuation, etc. during disasters such as earthquakes andfires.

W
Water conservation
forestA forest located in the upper reaches of a river where there are particular expectations of functions
such as the retention of water resources, mitigation of flooding, and purification of water quality.

44Tokyo Green Biz
Office of the Governor for Policy Planning, Tokyo Metropolitan Government