PRINCIPAL POLICIES OF THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT

Crisis Management

Tokyo has established a round-the-clock system for monitoring disasters, diverting resources for disaster prevention, halting the spread of damage when calamities do occur, and other disaster-fighting measures.

Nonetheless, changes in the social fabric in recent years have also seen a pronounced diversification in the kinds of disasters and accidents the world is seeing, as evidenced by the horrific terrorists attacks in the United States in September 2001, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and other new patterns of disaster and disease. There is an ever-growing need to protect the lives and property of Tokyo's citizens from such threats.

In Japan, it is stipulated that the primary response to a disaster must be mounted by the municipalities and prefectures that comprise the basic local government authorities. In other words, even in the case of a national-scale crisis, the initial response is the responsibility of local authorities. Because of this, Tokyo is faced with the need to erect a solid, local crisis control system capable of prompt and precise responses, not only to natural disasters, but to NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) disasters and other man-made crises as well. To succeed in this quest, in April 2003 a new crisis management monitoring scheme was introduced, featuring a structure in which direction comes directly from the Governor at the outbreak of a crisis. This move has effectively enhanced the system for integrated coordination of orders from all TMG bureaus, as well as maintaining close information links with municipalities and pertinent institutions.

Besides this, an exclusive control organization has been created to accurately collect and analyze information and propose strategic responses in the event of emergencies, hand in hand with other steps to create a reliable crisis management system.

Tokyo Local Disaster Prevention Plan

Tokyo disaster countermeasures are based on the Tokyo Local Disaster Prevention Plan drawn up by the Tokyo Disaster Prevention Council, a group chaired by the Governor. A disaster prevention organization comprised of the TMG, the wards and municipalities, designated regional administrative agencies, designated public agencies, designated regional public agencies and other authorities enables all of these units to effectively manifest their functions. They all work to prevent disasters, while implementing swift stopgap measures and recovery and rebuilding plans when disasters do strike.

TMG Disaster Prevention Ordinances

Following the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, the TMG enacted the TMG Disaster Prevention Ordinance. The principles of this ordinance are self-help (protecting one's own safety through personal efforts) and mutual help (citizens are expected to protect their local communities). The citizens of Tokyo, who work from the foundation of these two principles, and the government, which fulfills the role of public assistance, define their respective duties and responsibilities in working together as a close-knit team. In this way, the duties of the people, businesses and the TMG are clearly laid out.

TMG Operational Plan for Disaster Prevention

The TMG Operational Plan for Disaster Prevention was drawn up on the principles of the TMG Disaster Prevention Ordinances and outlines the big picture for earthquake disaster countermeasures being advanced by TMG during three-year period of fiscal 2002-04.

Tokyo Disaster Action Headquarters Ordinance

Establishing an initial response system to function when disaster does strike is critical for minimizing subsequent damage. Tokyo has enacted the Tokyo Disaster Action Headquarters Ordinance for that purpose and the legislation clearly describes the role and the systems needed for this. In support of this, disaster response manuals have been prepared and provided at each TMG bureau.

Tokyo Disaster Prevention Center

As key bases for TMG disaster countermeasure activities, the Tokyo Disaster Prevention Center has been established on the ninth floor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, while the Tachikawa District Disaster Prevention Center is operated in Tachikawa City. To effectively cope with earthquake disasters and other emergencies that strike during the night or on public holidays, trained personnel are stationed in the nighttime disaster-prevention liaison office and in special housing for TMG disaster-countermeasure staff, in a move that keeps highly competent initial-response systems and teams on alert at all times.