Tokyo at global forefront of tackling a variety of issues outlined in U.N.'s sustainable development goals

Tokyo is facing similar challenges to other mature megacities in the world. Tackling these challenges from a long-term perspective through a multifaceted approach is what is needed to improve the city. At the same time, doing so is also key to achieving the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).

This is because many of the 17 SDGs to be achieved by 2030 overlap with aims that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is pursuing — not only for its current and future residents, but also as an example for other cities in the world when creating their own policies. These cities may also consider possible collaborations with Tokyo in making a unified effort for sustainable development.

Tokyo government making efforts to mitigate climate change and meet UN SDGs _ The Japan Times

One of the most prominent issues facing Tokyo is the aging demographic. According to the most recent estimation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as of September, people over the age of 65 account for 23.3% of the total population.

Addressing problems that arise in an aging society alone is linked to some of the SDGs, such as the promotion of good health and well-being, quality education for all and sustainable cities and communities.

At the same time, the fertility rate in Tokyo ranked 1.2, lower than the national average of 1.42 in 2018. The number of newborns has declined for three consecutive years since 2016 according to a press release published by the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health earlier this year.

Depopulation is soon expected to start in Tokyo due to the aging demographic and low birthrate trend. According to a press release published by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of General Affairs in March 2018, Tokyo’s total population is expected to peak in 2025.

One reason that Tokyo’s population has not yet started a downward trend may be the that the city is a central economic hub, a factor also behind its population concentration.

However, some speculate that Tokyo’s population will start decreasing earlier than forecast. This is due to the coronavirus pandemic and expanded options for work, such as remote work and the associated shift in people’s choice of where to live.

As a result, Tokyo is likely to be one of the first cities in the world to experience rapid depopulation and aging, issues that many advanced cities are expected to face sooner or later. ``Gender equality,’’ ``affordable and clean energy,’’ ``responsible consumption and production’’ are other challenges represented in the SDGs that Tokyo and other cities are concurrently dealing with.

To meet the needs of a changing society — and to do it in the way that will contribute to achieving the SDGs at the same time — the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has started efforts based on a four-year plan called “New Tokyo. New Tomorrow. The Action Plan for 2020” that was formulated in 2016.

In the plan, 23 key policy pillars are divided into the three categories —safe city, diverse city and smart city — and outlined to ensure the sustainable growth of Tokyo. Each of those pillars relates to at least one of the SDGs, altogether covering 17 goals.

To secure Tokyo’s sustainable growth for the years beyond 2020 and achieve the SDGs, the “Strategic Vision for Tokyo’s Future” was announced in December. It presents 20 visions that clarify what the future of Tokyo should be like 20 years from today, such as “Tokyo where various people live together and is rich in diversity” and “Zero emission Tokyo.” It also sets forth 20 strategies centered on the three C’s of community, children and choju (longevity) to be executed by 2030 to realize the visions in 10 years. About 120 projects are being set up to put those strategies into concrete actions under the SDGs framework.

Other than creating such large-scale, comprehensive frameworks as the “New Tokyo. New Tomorrow. The Action Plan for 2020” and the “Strategic Vision for Tokyo’s Future,” the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is supporting businesses through the Tokyo Financial Award.

Since launching the award in 2018, the metropolitan government has encouraged financial innovation and ESG (investments taking into account environment, society and governance factors) by granting prizes to companies making outstanding efforts in these fields. This year, the SDGs subcategory has been added to the award to acknowledge efforts made by companies to contribute to global goal. Businesses will be chosen from those who submitted applications in October.

Long-term plans that encompass not only all aspects of a city, but also all elements of the SDGs, such as the plans Tokyo has designed, as well as initiatives to support efforts made by the private sector, need to be executed by cities to achieve sustainable prosperity. Doing this would directly lead to the realization of the SDGs. It is important that world megacities, including Tokyo, that have major impacts on global sustainability, share insights and examples gained from their local efforts and learn from each other to attain common global community goals.