On January 20, 2025, Asia Society Policy Salon Tokyo welcomed Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to share Tokyo’s vision for a sustainable and innovative future.

Governor Koike began by highlighting Tokyo's ambitious environmental and economic initiatives, headlined by the city’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Through innovative measures, such as mandatory solar panel installations on newly built homes by major homebuilders, the development of offshore wind farms, and pioneering green hydrogen trading, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is committed to transforming Tokyo into a power generating city of the future.

Governor Koike also stressed the importance of a strong collaboration with the private sector. Under her leadership, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has issued 1.5 billion USD in Green bonds to develop Japan’s sustainable finance market. Through the issuance of foreign currency sustainability bonds and upcoming TOKYO Resilience Bond (tentative name), Tokyo is committed to becoming a city that embodies a global partnership for a greener future.

In addition to environmental initiatives, Governor Koike highlighted Tokyo’s role as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. SusHi Tech, a platform for fostering sustainable high-tech startups, and the Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB), which serves as a meeting point for domestic and international entrepreneurs, are part of Tokyo’s strategy to attract global talent, stimulate open innovation, and nurture the next generation of global companies.

Governor Koike celebrated Tokyo’s growing appeal as a travel destination, with record-breaking visitor numbers in 2023. She emphasized the city’s efforts to enhance nighttime tourism, including projection mapping events at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors. With plans to reopen the Edo-Tokyo Museum in spring 2026, Tokyo is also committed to preserving its rich cultural heritage whilest embracing innovation.

Following her keynote speech, Asia Society Policy Committee Chair Jesper Koll joined for a brief fireside chat to highlight the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s commitment to gender equality and employee experience.