INTERVIEW | Governor Koike on Tokyo's 'Children-First' Policy and Global Role

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With no major elections scheduled in 2026, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike says she will be able to focus on steadily advancing her policy agenda. In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun and JAPAN Forward, she reaffirmed her commitment to child-centered initiatives aimed at addressing Japan's declining birthrate and supporting child development. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening international urban cooperation and expressed her goal of attracting United Nations functions to Tokyo.

Excerpts follow.

'Children First' Policy

What themes will you particularly focus on in 2026?

I have been promoting "children first, babies first" policies for several years. The 018 Support program, which provides ¥5,000 JPY [about $30 USD] per month for each child aged 0–18 living in Tokyo, is progressing smoothly. As a result, in the first half of last year [2025], the number of births edged into positive territory. I believe this is a very significant outcome. Society as a whole must address declining births and invest in nurturing children. I see this as the greatest investment in the future.

There are certain trending phrases associated with the so-called Generation Z, such as "furo cancel kaiwai" ["bath-cancel clique," referring to people who occasionally skip bathing or showering because they find it troublesome] and "jisui cancel kaiwai" ["cooking cancel clique," referring to those who avoid cooking meals at home, especially using a stove]. They are becoming increasingly risk-averse and hesitant to take on commitments or own things. If marriage, childbirth, and raising children come to be seen as risks, society will continue to shrink.

People often talk about declining births, but even before that, a shrinking number of women who become mothers leads to a cycle of smaller generations, causing the country as a whole to contract. This has long been described as a "quiet emergency." The challenge is how to halt this trend and create a game-changing shift. Tokyo has taken on that role, and I believe we are now beginning to see positive results.

*Tokyo Tower and skyscrapers in March 2024. (©Sankei by Kengo Matsumoto)*

Tokyo as a Global City

How do you see Tokyo's role in Japan and globally?

I believe Tokyo is now widely recognized internationally, both for its urban appeal and its role in the global economy and finance. In the latest Global Power City Index, Tokyo surpassed New York for the first time, ranking second behind London, with New York and Paris following. With London now within our sights, we aim to take the top spot.

Global Power City Index 2025: Tokyo Ranks Second for the First Time

I have also been appointed chair of the OECD's Champion Mayors network, which brings together cities from around the world. By sharing Tokyo's accumulated expertise and management capabilities with other cities, Tokyo's global standing and role will continue to grow. Fulfilling this role will also benefit Japan as a whole.

What specific expertise do you plan to share?

For example, many cities in ASEAN want to learn from Tokyo about the role of flood control reservoirs and how a wide range of public services are delivered. We can also collaborate with European cities. My selection as chair reflects a request for Tokyo to take a leading role globally, particularly in areas such as resilience and women's empowerment.

In 2025, you mentioned attracting UN functions to Tokyo. Will you pursue this further with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi?

Prime Minister Takaichi has also expressed strong interest. Right now, under the United States' Trump administration, international cooperation is less multilateral and more driven by the president personally, leaving international institutions to reassess their role.

Watch the 2025 interview with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.

In this context, expectations for Tokyo are high. Of course, diplomacy is a national prerogative. In a world undergoing major upheaval, I believe Japan's role is crucial, and I have emphasized that Tokyo will provide the stage for that role to be realized.