NEWS & EVENTS

A Conversation with the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike

On October 29th, 2021, Johns Hopkins SAIS Interim Dean Kent E. Calder and the Governor of Tokyo, Japan, Yuriko Koike discussed the post-Olympics-and-pandemic outlook for Tokyo and its “sustainable recovery” plan, as part of the ongoing Dean’s Forum series. As noted in Governor Koike’s presentation, the two most pressing challenges to the world—the pandemic and the climate crisis—are also shaping Tokyo’s plans for the future. To address these two issues, according to Governor Koike, post-Olympics Tokyo is aiming to create a society where everyone can realize individual potential in their own ways, a fusion of nature and the city as exemplified by the Tokyo Bay Area, and a sustainable recovery with support from green finance initiatives and cooperation with other global cities.

During the Q&A session, Governor Koike also answered questions about Tokyo’s plan to attract more foreigners, whether and how the pandemic has changed the Governor’s vision for Tokyo, and how international city leader networks facilitate policy implementation in Tokyo. Overall, Governor Koike emphasized the advantages of Tokyo for being a globally attractive place for people and capital, as well as the needs to work with new opportunities and to cooperate with other global cities to meet the challenges from the pandemic and the climate change.