#Japan #Kawasaki #Sustainable Society #Kawasaki City #Designated Cities

Symposium on Building a Sustainable Society in the Age of Population Decline

On March 2, 2024, Kawasaki City, in collaboration with the Designated City Mayors' Association, will host a crucial symposium titled "Building a Sustainable Society in the Era of Population Decline." This event aims to deepen the understanding of future local governance systems amidst declining population trends.

The symposium comes in light of the recent establishment of the 34th Local System Research Council by the government, which commenced operations on January 19, 2024. This council will engage in nationwide discussions on how to deliver administrative services sustainably while addressing the challenges posed by a decreasing population.

During the symposium, participants will share their awareness of the various challenges and crises faced by designated cities and local municipalities. The discussions will emphasize the urgent need for reforms in urban governance, including the swift establishment of diverse systems such as the proposed "Special City".

Key Participants

Attendees will include significant figures in urban governance:

• - Naoki Furukawa, Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet Office
• - Mikio Tanaka, Mayor of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture
• - Izuru Makihara, Professor at the University of Tokyo's Advanced Research Center and member of the 34th Local System Research Council
• - Kizō Hisamoto, Mayor of Kobe City and current Chair of the Designated City Mayors' Association
• - Norihiko Fukuda, Mayor of Kawasaki City and Vice President of the Designated City Mayors' Association

Panel Discussion Goals

The panel discussion will revolve around key questions: What do municipalities need to provide sustainable services to residents? How can urban planning adapt to current realities? Together with experts and the audience, we will explore the paths toward these pressing issues.

Event Details

• - Date and Time: March 2, 2024 (Monday), from 18:00 to 20:00 (Doors open at 17:30)
• - Location: Nikkei Conference Room, 1-3-7 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 6th floor of Nikkei Building.
• - Theme: "Building a Sustainable Society in the Era of Population Decline - Towards a Multilayered Japan"
• - Participation Fee: Free (Limited to 150 participants, pre-registration required)

Program Structure

1. Presentations: Addressing the challenges and responses during the population decline era.
2. Panel Discussion: Identifying what is necessary for achieving a sustainable society today.

Registration Information

Interested attendees can register via the designated application form on the Kawasaki City website, or by fax at 044-200-3798 (first-come basis). The registration period is open from January 20 to February 25, 2024.

Organizers

• - Organizer: Designated City Mayors' Association (Visit Official Site)
• - Co-organizer: Kawasaki City

For further inquiries, please contact the Kawasaki City General Affairs Policy Bureau, Urban Policy Division, at 044-200-2475.

Participate in this vital dialogue on how we can shape our communities in the face of demographic changes. We look forward to welcoming you.