PRINCIPAL POLICIES OF THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT

The Asian Network of Major Cities 21

The Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC 21) is a new international network aimed at promoting joint projects and using the results of these projects to further the prosperity and development of the Asian region. This will be done by tackling topics of common concern to all the cities such as the development of new technology, environmental measures, and the promotion of industry.

A joint declaration aimed at establishing such a network was adopted by the cities of Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and Tokyo in August 2000. At the same time, decisions were also reached on the themes of the joint projects to be undertaken under the Asian Network of Major Cities 21, and on candidate cities for membership of the network.

A meeting gathering together the mayors and administrative heads of the participating cities was held in Tokyo in October 2001, marking the official launch of the network. Fifteen joint projects, and the cities taking part in each project, were decided. On the basis of an urgent proposal submitted on that occasion, it was also decided that the cities would exchange information on comprehensive urban crisis management.

ANMC21 held its second plenary meeting in Delhi in November 2002 in conjunction with the ANMC21 Exhibition. The gathering was used to announce the results of the Network's joint projects undertaken so far, determine two new projects, adopt the "Delhi Declaration" and complete other business.

The third plenary meeting and ANMC21 Exhibition were convened in Hanoi in November 2003 and featured policy discussions between the delegates of participating cities, the presentation of new special reports and the adoption of the "Hanoi Declaration."

ANMC21 is currently advancing a total of 17 joint projects.

Participating Cities

Participation in the network is open to capital cities and other major cities in Asia. The cities taking part in the network are as follows:

Co-advocate cities (4):
Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo
Other cities (8):
Bangkok, Beijing, Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, Taipei, Yangon

Topics to be tackled jointly:

	Environment
	Issues of urban planning
	Promotion of arts, culture and tourism
	Joint development of new technology and new products (including IT)
	Participation of women in society
	Health
	Disaster prevention management
	Human resources training and aid
	Education

Outline of Main Joint Projects:

Promotion of Development of Small to Medium-sized Jet Passenger Plane
The demand for air travel in all areas of Asia is projected to post robust growth over the years to come. Despite such a bright future picture for this sector, however, the Asian aircraft industry generally limits its activities to the production of parts for U.S. and European manufacturers. With the aim of addressing the demand for air travel in Asia, as well as to further enhance Asia's profile in this area, international conferences attended by city delegates, Asian jetliner experts and other concerned parties will be held concerning the development of original Asian small to medium-sized passenger airliners.

Following on from the initial conference in Tokyo in October 2002, the second gathering of this kind took place in October 2003 in Taipei. This occasion was used to exchange ideas and opinions between Asian jetliner experts and other professionals on the possibility of actually building an aircraft designed to seat about 100 passengers.

Asian Distance-Learning Project
Distance-learning programs will be designed to support education and exchanges between ANMC21 participant cities in a diverse range of fields in an effort to cultivate human resources, education-related industries and other elements crucial for creating new Asian industry and opportunities. In more specific terms, the Internet and other sophisticated means will be used to distribute lecture texts, host Q and A sessions and organize other creative programs targeting Greater Asia as the primary marketplace. Meanwhile, a non-profit corporation to serve as the home base for organizing and promoting these projects will be established in Tokyo.

Crisis Management Network
Earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters continue to exact a heavy toll on human life and property in all areas of Asia. Recent years have also seen a worrisome increase in the threat of international crime and terrorism across regional and national borders, underscoring the urgent need for the ANMC21 member cities to collaborate in raising their mutual crisis management capabilities. As a concrete response to these growing concerns, the First Asian Crisis Management Conference was held in Tokyo in September 2003. This provided a historic forum for fruitful exchanges of information and know-how on mounting effective responses to nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism, the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic and other crises capable of seriously disrupting major metropolitan areas. The Tokyo delegation to the conference proposed additional use of the emergency liaison network established for responding to natural disasters, large-scale accidents and other crises as a channel for conducting real-time exchanges and updates on SARS, thereby facilitating more effective mutual assistance between the member cities. All participating cities gave this proposal a vote of confidence as a viable and promising course of action.

	Asian Performing Arts Festival
	Welcome to Asia campaign
	Asian Cities' Network for Controlling Vehicle Emissions
	Training projects