Message Interview with the Chairman

In 2022, with the support of the German government, we believe we were able to present a declaration that reflects the voices of the local governments of the G7 countries more systematically and effectively.

JDCMA has been participating in the activities of the U7 as a coalition of Japanese cities since 2021. I participated in the U7 Mayors Conference held in May 2022 as the Chairman of the JDCMA and reiterated that major cities, as leaders of cities, must proactively work toward the realization of a sustainable society, including taking measures to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and eliminate intergenerational inequalities, while cooperating and collaborating with the national government.

Thanks to the efforts and leadership of the German local governments involved in the U7, the Declaration has been delivered to the German government, and the importance of cities is not only mentioned in the G7 Leaders' Communiqué but also emphasized in several ministerial communiqués and documents, which suggests that the U7 activities, including the “Urban7 Mayors Declaration 2022,” are being appreciated and that our collaboration between G7 and U7 is progressing.

The U7 began its activities in 2021, but in terms of local government contribution to the G7 discussions, it began 7 years ago in 2016 when local governments voiced their opinions in conjunction with the G7 Environment Ministerial Meeting held in Toyama, Japan.

We, the JDCMA, as representatives of Japan's chairmanship of the 2023 G7 Summit, will take over the U7 Summit. Compared to seven years ago, we feel that internationally the roles of cities are recognized strongly and that in order to achieve a sustainable world, cities should be involved in policy making at all levels as equals with the national governments.

The tension over the Russian war in Ukraine has made energy security, in particular, a global issue, and there are many other challenges we face. I believe that the world will move in the right direction if we, as local governments, keep a close eye on the social situation of the moment and proactively tackle these issues while staying close to our citizens.

We would like to deepen our dialogue and cooperation with the government while utilizing our network of 20 major Japanese cities and also working with ICLEI.

The social condition has changed over the past few years, including measures against COVID-19 and responses to the effects of the Russian war in Ukraine. In addition to responding to these changes in the social situation, climate change countermeasures and the transition to a decarbonized society are also in need of immediate attention. For this reason, the role required of local governments, including ensuring the safety and security of citizens' lives, is becoming extremely important.

In order to make the transition to a decarbonized society without leaving citizens behind, it is necessary to respond on a city-by-city basis and in detail, reflecting the actual conditions and capacity of each city.

In order to promote decarbonization measures, such as the development of hydrogen energy and low-carbon public transportation such as railroads, promptly and steadily, cooperation between cities and governments is indispensable. The government should establish a framework for international cooperation while promptly providing information to local governments on measures to be taken.

In addition, in allocating authority and budgets from the national government, local governments should be granted discretion so that the budget can be spent as freely as possible.

Although U7 did not receive official recognition as an Engagement Group in 2022, we are looking forward to working with all parties involved in order to receive such recognition in 2023.

I feel that the role of the cities is more recognized domestically and internationally now, and that the local governments of all levels are now expected to be involved in policy-making on an equal footing with the central governments.

The 2023 summit will build upon previous initiatives, while evaluating their achievements and aiming to include the unique characteristics and strengths of the host country. Specifically, we would like to raise “SDGs” and “Peace” as central concepts. I want to advocate for the role of local governments and their contribution to tackling common international challenges related to sustainable development, such as the promotion of peace and democracy, response to climate change, biodiversity conservation, disaster preparedness, and resilience planning, as well as measures to combat inflation and rising energy prices. Furthermore, I would also like to mention the need for and importance of establishing international networks, such as inter-city cooperation and multi-level corporations.

At the same time, our association cannot make this upcoming summit a success all by itself. Therefore, we shall work in close cooperation with both our national governments, and the local governments of all the other U7 countries.