I would like to extend my warmest greetings to the participants of the World Conference for TOKYO Resilience in this centennial year of the opening of the Arakawa Floodway, which was excavated to protect Tokyo from recurring flooding.

Tokyo has frequently been struck by natural disasters in the past, and future crises such as large-scale storms and floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the emergence of new infectious diseases could occur at any time. There also remains the possibility of the worst-case scenario—a compound disaster.

Furthermore, the latest IPCC report reiterates the urgency of rising temperatures, a trigger for more frequent and intense storms, floods, and other disasters, indicating the growing severity of our situation.

Even in the event of a disaster, it is imperative that we protect the lives and livelihoods of Tokyo residents and prevent catastrophic damage at all costs. Last December, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government upgraded the TOKYO Resilience Project to include new initiatives in areas such as measures against heavy rain, disaster readiness for apartments and condominiums, as well as measures to deal with volcanic ash following a possible eruption of Mount Fuji.

At this conference, Tokyo residents, research institutions, businesses, and representatives from cities around the world will gather and engage in open-minded discussions. By strengthening collaboration with all stakeholders and further refining our policies, we will accelerate the development of a resilient and sustainable city. Together, let us make Tokyo a city where residents can feel secure for the next hundred years and beyond.