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Tokyo's Remarkable Achievement at SCEWC 2026

On November 4th, 2026, during the prestigious Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona, Tokyo was honored with the esteemed City Award at the World Smart City Awards. This award is a testament to Tokyo's comprehensive urban strategies that emphasize innovation, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability.

The City Award is one of the most recognized accolades in the realm of smart cities, awarded to the city that displays an outstanding combined approach to urban development. Tokyo's representation at the event highlighted its initiative titled "C³ (Cubed) Powering Tokyo," which focuses on harnessing the strengths of its citizens, community, and collaboration.

The Essence of C³ Powering Tokyo

1. Citizen-Powered: This aspect emphasizes the importance of utilizing citizens' voices and their active involvement in shaping the city's future. A city thrives when its people are engaged and empowered to contribute to urban decisions.

2. Community-Powered: Local communities, along with area management groups, are encouraged to develop unique initiatives tailored to their distinct characteristics. This localized approach ensures that various neighborhoods can implement solutions that best address their specific needs.

3. Collaboration-Powered: Through inter-city networks, technological partnerships, and cultural exchanges, Tokyo aims to showcase its allure on a global stage. This collaborative spirit not only connects Tokyo with other cities but also enhances the exchange of ideas and best practices.

Tokyo Governor Koike expressed her gratitude for receiving the City Award, reflecting on the shared pride of the city's 14 million residents. She affirmed that this honor belongs to every Tokyoite and celebrates their contributions to making the city not just expansive but also a high-quality place to live. Governor Koike stated, "Moving a city is about 'people.' It is this belief that has been recognized, and I am immensely proud of this achievement."

Taking the Next Steps

This award is seen as a fresh starting point for the Tokyo government to refine and enhance the "C³ Powering Tokyo" initiative, aiming to share the Tokyo model with cities worldwide. Through the insights gained from this award, the goal is to foster a network of challenge-driven cities that bloom into sustainable futures, ensuring that every resident shines in the process.

The Smart City Expo World Congress, organized by Fira de Barcelona, has grown to become one of the largest global events focused on smart cities, taking place every November since 2011. The 2026 edition was attended by more than 27,000 participants from 138 countries.

The World Smart City Awards ceremony consists of three main categories: the City Award for comprehensive urban strategies, the Innovation Award for unique initiatives, and Project Awards for sector-specific implementations. In total, there were 533 applications from 68 countries for the 2026 awards.

This recognition aligns with Tokyo's ongoing commitment to its "2050 Tokyo Strategy," particularly Strategy 11, which focuses on leveraging digital technologies to enhance the quality of life for its citizens by realizing a smart city initiative.

The insights gained through this prestigious recognition will undoubtedly drive Tokyo's efforts towards becoming a global leader in smart city initiatives, serving as a beacon for sustainable urban development worldwide. As Tokyo continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to demonstrating its prowess in innovation and collaboration on the international platform.