Bringing a more human approach to community revitalization | Daisaku Kadokawa | TEDxKyoto

Daisaku Kadokawa, the Mayor of Kyoto looks towards a future for his city where Kyoto’s creativity, diversity, and unique and historic traditions serve to revitalize local communities and solve modern issues.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx.

"So happy that Kyoto is in Japan"

This is a phrase for sharing
the attractiveness of Kyoto.

Central Japan Railway Company
uses a similar catch phrase,

“Why don’t we go to Kyoto?”

These two phrases have similar features.

They’re both plain and simple -- no
mention of the purposes or explanations.

Yet, they have gained a favorable
response among many people.

No one questions
“why?” or “for what?”

Nobody has complained.
Well, except that one time

when I visited Boston for
a sister-city exchange project.

The chairman of the Japan Society
there said to me,

“Mr. Kadokawa, don’t hesitate to say
we're happy that Kyoto is in the world!

So far, that is the only
critical comment I've received.

I was born and raised in Kyoto.

And eight years have passed
since I took office as mayor of Kyoto.

With the bottom-up approach
and hands-on policy

supported by Kyoto’s history, creativity,
and impressive human power,

I have devoted myself
to fulfilling my duties as mayor.

The League of Historical Cities
consists of 108 cities in the world.

The Kyoto mayor has served as
chairman of the League for 30 years.

There are many
historical cities in the world,

among which Kyoto is extremely rare

in that it has a population of
over 1 million

and its culture has carried on

for a millennia, without any interruption.

Let me explain why that’s been possible
in Kyoto, from two perspectives.

The one is the superb fusion of our
"spiritual culture" and "craftsmanship,"

which has constantly encouraged
our tradition-oriented creativity.

It has been the strong core element
that has developed Kyoto.

As far as 1,000 years ago,
“The Tale of Genji” was written.

And Japanese culture, such as
“noh,” “kyogen,” “kabuki,”

“tea ceremony,” “flower arrangement,”
“incense ceremony,”

and “washoku”-- Japanese cuisine
also found their roots in Kyoto.

Lying behind these cultural developments
are the ideas of coexistence with nature

religion and
a religious sentiment,

which have evolved
a variety of craftsmanship

in textile, dyeing, ceramics,
Japanese “sake”,

printing, gardening, architecture,

and many others.

The artisanal skills, sensitivity, and
culture have all evolved from them.

Kyoto has encouraged citizen’s autonomy
and enriched people’s lives.

This is Kyoto and this is Japan.

This wonderful tradition has successfully

led to the development of
state-of-the-art global industries.

KYOCERA was initially launched
with Kiyomizu-yaki pottery.

SHIMADZU CORPORATION originally
dealt with Buddhist altar ornaments.

Many medical and biotechnology industries
evolved from the “sake” industry.

Nintendo, a video game developer, started
with its Japanese cards, “hanafuda.”

A number of universities
and resourceful industries in town

create a culture of innovation.
This is Kyoto.

The other reason why Kyoto
has prospered for a millennia is

our concept of city planning.

Before Kyoto became a capital
1200 years ago,

national capitals
had been named

after local places, such as
“Nagaoka-kyo” or “ Fujiwara-kyo.”

Meanwhile, the capital, Kyoto
was named “Heian,” wishing for

peace, safety, security, and stability.
”Heian" was the concept of Kyoto.

It was common that most historical cities
in the world were surrounded by walls.

They once all had walls.
However, “Heian-kyo” had no walls.

Kyoto hasn't segregated people in and
out of the capital for 1,000 years.

It has encouraged exchanges
with people form overseas.

Cultural exchange is
the key concept of Kyoto.

“A city of world cultural freedom”
is our current utmost ideal,

and we’d like to cherish
this long-standing concept of Kyoto.

Now, the world is facing problems,
such as disputes,

poverty, various disparities,
and environmental destruction.

I firmly believe that
Kyoto is endowed with

a spirit of helping
solve these global issues.

Kyoto and other areas in Japan
are experiencing a serious crisis --

that is a sudden drop in population

This is the first of its kind
here in Japan.

That is what's been said.
And it’s unfortunately true.

But Kyoto faced the similar crisis
150 years ago during the Meiji era,

when the capital moved to Tokyo.

The population of Kyoto drastically
plunged from 300,000 to 200,000.

That was a life-or-death
crisis for Kyoto.

How did our ancestors
deal with this crisis?

They thought good child rearing
would lead to a bright future.

“Good city planning starts with
the development of human resources.”

When there was still discrimination
under the strict caste system in Japan,

Kyoto decided to raise children
as treasures of the city.

Although the Ministry of Education
did not exist back then,

Kyoto founded 64 local schools
through private donations

to provide an equal
education opportunity.

The first Japanese art university
was established here, too.

Kyoto continues to put emphasis on
education and culture.

And again, Kyoto and other parts
of Japan faced another crisis.

It was the nationwide collapse of
the bubble economy twenty some years ago.

Japan suffered a serious recession.

At that time, Kyoto citizens
discussed plans for a long-term vision

for fundamental city planning.

Many city planning schemes
were primarily for

the restoration of infrastructure
and industrial policies.

However, Kyoto focused on
securing people’s lives and well-being.

Specifically, it confirmed
the six fortes,

unique to people in Kyoto.

“Good judgment”
-- critical eyes for the real

“Craftsmanship”
-- technique for delicate craftsmanship

“Mastery”
-- perfect achievement

and no compromise

“Attempt” -- new challenges

“Hospitality” and value recognition

and “Mottainai”
-- wastefulness spirit.

By cherishing these principles
and ways of living,

we've involved these strengths
in our concrete city planning measures.

Kyoto citizens are engaged
in various activities now.

When the bubble burst,
amid a chorus of deregulation

and the construction of more and more
skyscrapers all over Japan,

Kyoto stood apart and decided
not to become a little Tokyo.

Instead, it placed a top priority on
maintaining its scenic beauty.

Tightening the regulations of
building heights

in order to harmonize with its landscape,

25,000 flamboyant signboards
were eliminated from rooftops,

and the aesthetical appeal of
Kyoto has improved.

Kyoto is the birthplace of
the Kyoto Protocol.

Through respect and sharing
a spirit of “Mottainai,”

we have so far successfully reduced
the amount of city garbage by 42 %,

and closed two out of five
garbage disposal plants

with an annual savings of
10.6 billion yen.

Then, we launched a campaign

to turn a car driven society into

a public transportation centered city.

We worked hard.

20 years ago, 41.7 % of visitors
to Kyoto drove here.

Last year,
the number was reduced to 9.9 %

more than a quarter of
drivers dropped.

We encouraged people
to take subways and buses

as well as improved its running schedules.

As the number of passengers increased,
businesses have improved.

To show our spirit of "Omotenashi"
--hospitality in tourism,

we have implemented
191 measures to attract visitors.

Kyoto has been awarded "The most
“ attractive city to visit in the world”

for two consecutive years
by a world famous travel magazine.

For human resources development,
we posted a slogan,

“Providing the best environment
for child nurturing."

No children have been on a waiting list
for a kindergarten for the last two years.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of
teachers and staff,

supported by PTA and local people,

education from elementary to high schools
has also achieved great progress.

I’m glad that more people
have become interested in

living and raising children in Kyoto.

8 years ago, we had 3,600 more out-goers
from Kyoto city than incomers.

We have had 3,250 more incomers
than out-goers over the past year.

However, the total birthrate rate
is still low,

which is one of our greatest challenges.

We hope to strengthen the system

to make Kyoto an ideal and sound place

for child bearing and rearing.

In order to wrestle with the problem
of declining population in Japan,

we've started the re-establishment of
towns, people, and jobs nationwide.

Meanwhile, Kyoto has placed
primary focus on people's hearts.

Enlivening the human spirit
and heart is our priority.

In order to utilize the citizens' power

and support the activities

citizens are working on
autonomously,

Kyoto has taken initiatives and drawn up
all-encompassing city-planning strategies.

I’d like Kyoto to be revitalized,
but it is not just for Kyoto.

I hope other local communities
to be revived as well.

By connecting with
other local communities

I'd like to build
local revitalization models.

That's what I'd like to do.

I truly look forward to seeing Japan

filled with smiles and happiness.

People tell me,
“You’re always wearing kimono.”

Yes, I am. That's true.

Some may misunderstand me,
but this is not only to promote Kyoto.

Today I’m wearing “Oshima kimono,"
"Yuki haori," and "Sendaira hakama."

The best silk cocoons
in Japan are produced

in Kawamata, Fukushima prefecture.
They make high quality silk cocoons.

However, traditional local businesses
have faced a serious recession,

due to business concentration in Tokyo
and priority on economy and efficiency,

Under these circumstances, traditional
industries are in critical condition.

We have a big dream.
We'd like to reinforce

long-established connections
with local communities.

With our culture and products,
we’d like to revitalize local economy

and contribute to
the restoration of local regions.

We’d like to make Kyoto the capital of
culture not only in Japan,

but also in the world.

This is what we aspire to do.

When I visit abroad, I see “Cool Japan”
items being widely welcomed.

And the Japanese philosophy of living
practiced in Kyoto

-- the aesthetics of our life styles,
the spirit of generosity and harmony,

and no religious conflicts
earn respect from people around the world.

When the Japanese re-recognize
those values,

we can contribute to happiness of people
in the world as well as world peace.

In order to achieve that, we’d like to
elevate the popular phrase,

“So happy that Kyoto is in Japan” into
“So happy that Japan is in the world”

or
“”So happy that Kyoto is in the world.”

For this goal,
we’d like to have

the Culture Agency
of Japan relocated to Kyoto.

Away from efficiency-focused Tokyo,
Kyoto will be centered on culture.

This would contribute to
connecting our hearts to

those of others in the rest of Japan
and the world as well as to the future.

There are hurdles to overcome.

But, it is my sincere hope to relocate
the Cultural Agency to Kyoto,

revitalize Japan with culture,

contribute to the happiness of people
in the world,

as well as to world peace with culture.

I'll make every effort and strive
to achieve these goals with you.

(Applause)