In fighting the novel coronavirus, local governments bear the primary responsibility for response measures, in tandem with the central government. The Tokyo metropolitan government is on the front line in this fight. Below are excerpts of an interview with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.
We have been dealing with the coronavirus with a mind-set of readiness as if the "second wave" of infections were already here. What is needed is for us to take measures strategically and on a priority basis, and in a style that is different from the previous one taken under the declaration of the state of emergency. Rather than halting all the business functions of Tokyo, we have asked those eating and drinking establishments offering alcoholic beverages to refrain from operating later than 10 p.m., until the end of this month.
The metropolitan government will compensate those establishments by paying "cooperation money" for complying with such self-restraint in business operations and displaying a special sticker [to indicate that they have taken measures to prevent infections in line with the relevant guidelines]. The metropolitan government, for our part, will take necessary measures when needed. We would like the central government to procure revenue sources by means of its reserve funds of 10 trillion yen, which were included in its second supplementary budget for this fiscal year.
We have been cooperating with the central government when we should, and in particular, we have been in close contact with Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura every day. But still, there have been times when, while making various preparations, the central government changed its rules and sometimes threw us into confusion.
The revised Law on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness is one that -- as one can easily guess from its name -- was created urgently. Regretfully, it has brought about various challenges in terms of usefulness. The coronavirus differs greatly from influenza in that there is no vaccine available yet, and there are many unclear aspects regarding effective measures to deal with it.
It is local governments that have to respond to what is taking place right before our eyes. In order for us to tackle this, with a sense of speed and in the most effective way, we want the central government to leave the matter more up to us. A revision of the law concerning special measures, including one to give more authority to local governments, is needed.
When undertaking something of this significance, it has to be a noble cause. Moreover, a noble cause cannot be achieved without empathy. There are three elements that are needed to advance a noble cause: "spirit, techniques and physical strength."
The ability to understand a situation entails "spirit." "Techniques" would be medical services and a vaccine, as they are measures to deal with the coronavirus. And "physical strength" would be the systems and institutions that correspond with relevant laws, ordinances and budgets.
When I was an Environment Minister, I advocated what is called "Cool Biz" -- a campaign to wear more casual clothes in business settings during the summer to help reduce electricity consumption by limiting the use of air conditioning. Its noble cause of [fighting] global warming is clear, but unless it is accompanied by favorable responses, people will just expect somebody else to do it. In the case of Cool Biz, neckties and certain clothing were made symbolic. In doing so, people's behaviors and their way of thinking changed.
I think that the same can be said with the measures against the coronavirus. Unless accompanied with "physical strength," namely the law, the only thing we should do, at least for now, is call for the people's empathy, under the element of "spirit." For the metropolitan government, the thing that symbolizes "spirit" is the sticker being used to indicate preventive measures have been taken. The Japanese term "3 mitsu" [or 3 conditions of closeness] has been translated into English as the "Three C's": closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places with many people, and close-contact settings. It is changing behavioral patterns of people around the world in the battle against the coronavirus. Now that the means of dealing with COVID-19 are limited, the only thing we can do is fight it with the use of words.
As the host city, Tokyo had been moving ahead solidly with preparations for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. But such efforts were greatly set back due to the virus outbreak. First, among other things, we will solidly deal with the coronavirus, the hurdle that lies right in front of us. If we can overcome this, it will lead to the success of the Tokyo Games, in a true sense.
Within half a year thereafter, the 2022 Beijing Winter Games are scheduled to be held. For Tokyo to burn the Olympic fire will be an important message transmitted by Tokyo to the international community.
The holding of the Olympic Games is not merely an issue for the Tokyo metropolitan government alone. We are in full accord with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from the viewpoint that the "success [of the Tokyo Games] will serve the national interest," with no discrepancy in the course of action. Although the Games were postponed by one year, our intention of holding the Games by all means has not changed even now. The measures against the coronavirus are the ones we take as our highest-priority issue, and we will proceed with them in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Liberal Democratic Party totally differs from other parties in terms of the amount of information collected, thanks to its Diet members that represent each corner of the country. I myself realized this once again in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake. For our interest, it is natural for the metropolitan government to cooperate with the LDP, together with its coalition partner Komeito. But it may be necessary for the LDP to devise a better way to send its message to the people, so as to evoke a favorable response from them.
It is a silly question [to ask whether I may return to take part in the national administration]. I was elected as the governor of Tokyo through the gubernatorial election in July.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
