Bringing a more human approach to community revitalization | Daisaku Kadokawa | TEDxKyoto
-
0:12 - 0:16"So happy that Kyoto is in Japan"
-
0:16 - 0:19This is a phrase for sharing
the attractiveness of Kyoto. -
0:20 - 0:24Central Japan Railway Company
uses a similar catch phrase, -
0:24 - 0:27“Why don’t we go to Kyoto?”
-
0:28 - 0:32These two phrases have similar features.
-
0:32 - 0:36They’re both plain and simple -- no
mention of the purposes or explanations. -
0:36 - 0:41Yet, they have gained a favorable
response among many people. -
0:41 - 0:47No one questions
“why?” or “for what?” -
0:47 - 0:51Nobody has complained.
Well, except that one time -
0:52 - 0:56when I visited Boston for
a sister-city exchange project. -
0:56 - 1:02The chairman of the Japan Society
there said to me, -
1:02 - 1:07“Mr. Kadokawa, don’t hesitate to say
we're happy that Kyoto is in the world! -
1:08 - 1:12So far, that is the only
critical comment I've received. -
1:12 - 1:16I was born and raised in Kyoto.
-
1:16 - 1:19And eight years have passed
since I took office as mayor of Kyoto. -
1:19 - 1:22With the bottom-up approach
and hands-on policy -
1:22 - 1:30supported by Kyoto’s history, creativity,
and impressive human power, -
1:30 - 1:33I have devoted myself
to fulfilling my duties as mayor. -
1:34 - 1:40The League of Historical Cities
consists of 108 cities in the world. -
1:40 - 1:45The Kyoto mayor has served as
chairman of the League for 30 years. -
1:46 - 1:49There are many
historical cities in the world, -
1:49 - 1:51among which Kyoto is extremely rare
-
1:51 - 1:57in that it has a population of
over 1 million -
1:57 - 2:01and its culture has carried on
-
2:01 - 2:04for a millennia, without any interruption.
-
2:04 - 2:10Let me explain why that’s been possible
in Kyoto, from two perspectives. -
2:10 - 2:15The one is the superb fusion of our
"spiritual culture" and "craftsmanship," -
2:15 - 2:20which has constantly encouraged
our tradition-oriented creativity. -
2:20 - 2:26It has been the strong core element
that has developed Kyoto. -
2:26 - 2:30As far as 1,000 years ago,
“The Tale of Genji” was written. -
2:30 - 2:34And Japanese culture, such as
“noh,” “kyogen,” “kabuki,” -
2:34 - 2:38“tea ceremony,” “flower arrangement,”
“incense ceremony,” -
2:39 - 2:42and “washoku”-- Japanese cuisine
also found their roots in Kyoto. -
2:42 - 2:47Lying behind these cultural developments
are the ideas of coexistence with nature -
2:47 - 2:51religion and
a religious sentiment, -
2:52 - 2:55which have evolved
a variety of craftsmanship -
2:55 - 3:00in textile, dyeing, ceramics,
Japanese “sake”, -
3:00 - 3:04printing, gardening, architecture,
-
3:04 - 3:08and many others.
-
3:08 - 3:14The artisanal skills, sensitivity, and
culture have all evolved from them. -
3:15 - 3:20Kyoto has encouraged citizen’s autonomy
and enriched people’s lives. -
3:21 - 3:26This is Kyoto and this is Japan.
-
3:26 - 3:29This wonderful tradition has successfully
-
3:29 - 3:34led to the development of
state-of-the-art global industries. -
3:34 - 3:38KYOCERA was initially launched
with Kiyomizu-yaki pottery. -
3:39 - 3:43SHIMADZU CORPORATION originally
dealt with Buddhist altar ornaments. -
3:43 - 3:48Many medical and biotechnology industries
evolved from the “sake” industry. -
3:48 - 3:53Nintendo, a video game developer, started
with its Japanese cards, “hanafuda.” -
3:53 - 3:56A number of universities
and resourceful industries in town -
3:56 - 4:01create a culture of innovation.
This is Kyoto. -
4:01 - 4:04The other reason why Kyoto
has prospered for a millennia is -
4:04 - 4:07our concept of city planning.
-
4:07 - 4:11Before Kyoto became a capital
1200 years ago, -
4:11 - 4:14national capitals
had been named -
4:14 - 4:19after local places, such as
“Nagaoka-kyo” or “ Fujiwara-kyo.” -
4:19 - 4:23Meanwhile, the capital, Kyoto
was named “Heian,” wishing for -
4:23 - 4:30peace, safety, security, and stability.
”Heian" was the concept of Kyoto. -
4:32 - 4:38It was common that most historical cities
in the world were surrounded by walls. -
4:39 - 4:45They once all had walls.
However, “Heian-kyo” had no walls. -
4:45 - 4:51Kyoto hasn't segregated people in and
out of the capital for 1,000 years. -
4:52 - 4:55It has encouraged exchanges
with people form overseas. -
4:55 - 4:59Cultural exchange is
the key concept of Kyoto. -
5:00 - 5:04“A city of world cultural freedom”
is our current utmost ideal, -
5:05 - 5:10and we’d like to cherish
this long-standing concept of Kyoto. -
5:10 - 5:13Now, the world is facing problems,
such as disputes, -
5:13 - 5:17poverty, various disparities,
and environmental destruction. -
5:17 - 5:21I firmly believe that
Kyoto is endowed with -
5:21 - 5:25a spirit of helping
solve these global issues. -
5:26 - 5:32Kyoto and other areas in Japan
are experiencing a serious crisis -- -
5:33 - 5:36that is a sudden drop in population
-
5:37 - 5:40This is the first of its kind
here in Japan. -
5:41 - 5:44That is what's been said.
And it’s unfortunately true. -
5:44 - 5:50But Kyoto faced the similar crisis
150 years ago during the Meiji era, -
5:50 - 5:53when the capital moved to Tokyo.
-
5:53 - 5:59The population of Kyoto drastically
plunged from 300,000 to 200,000. -
6:01 - 6:03That was a life-or-death
crisis for Kyoto. -
6:03 - 6:07How did our ancestors
deal with this crisis? -
6:07 - 6:13They thought good child rearing
would lead to a bright future. -
6:13 - 6:17“Good city planning starts with
the development of human resources.” -
6:17 - 6:22When there was still discrimination
under the strict caste system in Japan, -
6:22 - 6:25Kyoto decided to raise children
as treasures of the city. -
6:25 - 6:29Although the Ministry of Education
did not exist back then, -
6:29 - 6:33Kyoto founded 64 local schools
through private donations -
6:33 - 6:37to provide an equal
education opportunity. -
6:37 - 6:41The first Japanese art university
was established here, too. -
6:41 - 6:48Kyoto continues to put emphasis on
education and culture. -
6:48 - 6:53And again, Kyoto and other parts
of Japan faced another crisis. -
6:53 - 6:57It was the nationwide collapse of
the bubble economy twenty some years ago. -
6:57 - 7:00Japan suffered a serious recession.
-
7:01 - 7:05At that time, Kyoto citizens
discussed plans for a long-term vision -
7:05 - 7:08for fundamental city planning.
-
7:09 - 7:13Many city planning schemes
were primarily for -
7:13 - 7:17the restoration of infrastructure
and industrial policies. -
7:18 - 7:24However, Kyoto focused on
securing people’s lives and well-being. -
7:25 - 7:29Specifically, it confirmed
the six fortes, -
7:29 - 7:32unique to people in Kyoto.
-
7:33 - 7:36“Good judgment”
-- critical eyes for the real -
7:37 - 7:41“Craftsmanship”
-- technique for delicate craftsmanship -
7:42 - 7:45“Mastery”
-- perfect achievement -
7:45 - 7:48and no compromise
-
7:48 - 7:51“Attempt” -- new challenges
-
7:51 - 7:53“Hospitality” and value recognition
-
7:53 - 7:56and “Mottainai”
-- wastefulness spirit. -
7:56 - 7:59By cherishing these principles
and ways of living, -
7:59 - 8:02we've involved these strengths
in our concrete city planning measures. -
8:02 - 8:05Kyoto citizens are engaged
in various activities now. -
8:05 - 8:08When the bubble burst,
amid a chorus of deregulation -
8:08 - 8:11and the construction of more and more
skyscrapers all over Japan, -
8:12 - 8:16Kyoto stood apart and decided
not to become a little Tokyo. -
8:17 - 8:22Instead, it placed a top priority on
maintaining its scenic beauty. -
8:22 - 8:25Tightening the regulations of
building heights -
8:25 - 8:27in order to harmonize with its landscape,
-
8:27 - 8:3225,000 flamboyant signboards
were eliminated from rooftops, -
8:32 - 8:35and the aesthetical appeal of
Kyoto has improved. -
8:36 - 8:39Kyoto is the birthplace of
the Kyoto Protocol. -
8:40 - 8:42Through respect and sharing
a spirit of “Mottainai,” -
8:42 - 8:47we have so far successfully reduced
the amount of city garbage by 42 %, -
8:47 - 8:50and closed two out of five
garbage disposal plants -
8:50 - 8:55with an annual savings of
10.6 billion yen. -
8:56 - 8:59Then, we launched a campaign
-
9:00 - 9:03to turn a car driven society into
-
9:03 - 9:06a public transportation centered city.
-
9:06 - 9:09We worked hard.
-
9:10 - 9:1620 years ago, 41.7 % of visitors
to Kyoto drove here. -
9:17 - 9:19
Last year,
the number was reduced to 9.9 % -
9:19 - 9:22more than a quarter of
drivers dropped. -
9:22 - 9:24We encouraged people
to take subways and buses -
9:24 - 9:27as well as improved its running schedules.
-
9:27 - 9:31As the number of passengers increased,
businesses have improved. -
9:31 - 9:35To show our spirit of "Omotenashi"
--hospitality in tourism, -
9:35 - 9:40we have implemented
191 measures to attract visitors. -
9:40 - 9:44Kyoto has been awarded "The most
“ attractive city to visit in the world” -
9:44 - 9:48for two consecutive years
by a world famous travel magazine. -
9:49 - 9:53For human resources development,
we posted a slogan, -
9:53 - 9:56“Providing the best environment
for child nurturing." -
9:56 - 10:01No children have been on a waiting list
for a kindergarten for the last two years. -
10:01 - 10:03Thanks to the enthusiasm of
teachers and staff, -
10:03 - 10:06supported by PTA and local people,
-
10:06 - 10:11education from elementary to high schools
has also achieved great progress. -
10:11 - 10:14I’m glad that more people
have become interested in -
10:14 - 10:18living and raising children in Kyoto.
-
10:19 - 10:268 years ago, we had 3,600 more out-goers
from Kyoto city than incomers. -
10:26 - 10:32We have had 3,250 more incomers
than out-goers over the past year. -
10:32 - 10:36However, the total birthrate rate
is still low, -
10:36 - 10:40which is one of our greatest challenges.
-
10:40 - 10:42We hope to strengthen the system
-
10:42 - 10:45to make Kyoto an ideal and sound place
-
10:45 - 10:50for child bearing and rearing.
-
10:50 - 10:54In order to wrestle with the problem
of declining population in Japan, -
10:54 - 10:58we've started the re-establishment of
towns, people, and jobs nationwide. -
10:58 - 11:01Meanwhile, Kyoto has placed
primary focus on people's hearts. -
11:01 - 11:04Enlivening the human spirit
and heart is our priority. -
11:04 - 11:07In order to utilize the citizens' power
-
11:07 - 11:10and support the activities
-
11:10 - 11:13citizens are working on
autonomously, -
11:13 - 11:18Kyoto has taken initiatives and drawn up
all-encompassing city-planning strategies. -
11:19 - 11:23I’d like Kyoto to be revitalized,
but it is not just for Kyoto. -
11:23 - 11:26I hope other local communities
to be revived as well. -
11:26 - 11:29By connecting with
other local communities -
11:29 - 11:33I'd like to build
local revitalization models. -
11:33 - 11:35That's what I'd like to do.
-
11:35 - 11:37I truly look forward to seeing Japan
-
11:37 - 11:39filled with smiles and happiness.
-
11:39 - 11:43People tell me,
“You’re always wearing kimono.” -
11:43 - 11:45Yes, I am. That's true.
-
11:45 - 11:49Some may misunderstand me,
but this is not only to promote Kyoto. -
11:49 - 11:55Today I’m wearing “Oshima kimono,"
"Yuki haori," and "Sendaira hakama." -
11:56 - 11:59The best silk cocoons
in Japan are produced -
11:59 - 12:03in Kawamata, Fukushima prefecture.
They make high quality silk cocoons. -
12:03 - 12:08However, traditional local businesses
have faced a serious recession, -
12:08 - 12:15due to business concentration in Tokyo
and priority on economy and efficiency, -
12:15 - 12:21Under these circumstances, traditional
industries are in critical condition. -
12:22 - 12:26We have a big dream.
We'd like to reinforce -
12:26 - 12:31long-established connections
with local communities. -
12:31 - 12:36With our culture and products,
we’d like to revitalize local economy -
12:36 - 12:39and contribute to
the restoration of local regions. -
12:40 - 12:45We’d like to make Kyoto the capital of
culture not only in Japan, -
12:45 - 12:48but also in the world.
-
12:48 - 12:51This is what we aspire to do.
-
12:51 - 12:55When I visit abroad, I see “Cool Japan”
items being widely welcomed. -
12:55 - 13:00And the Japanese philosophy of living
practiced in Kyoto -
13:00 - 13:06-- the aesthetics of our life styles,
the spirit of generosity and harmony, -
13:06 - 13:12and no religious conflicts
earn respect from people around the world. -
13:14 - 13:19When the Japanese re-recognize
those values, -
13:19 - 13:23we can contribute to happiness of people
in the world as well as world peace. -
13:23 - 13:27In order to achieve that, we’d like to
elevate the popular phrase, -
13:27 - 13:31“So happy that Kyoto is in Japan” into
“So happy that Japan is in the world” -
13:31 - 13:34or
“”So happy that Kyoto is in the world.” -
13:35 - 13:37For this goal,
we’d like to have -
13:37 - 13:39the Culture Agency
of Japan relocated to Kyoto. -
13:39 - 13:45Away from efficiency-focused Tokyo,
Kyoto will be centered on culture. -
13:45 - 13:49This would contribute to
connecting our hearts to -
13:49 - 13:54those of others in the rest of Japan
and the world as well as to the future. -
13:54 - 13:56There are hurdles to overcome.
-
13:56 - 14:00But, it is my sincere hope to relocate
the Cultural Agency to Kyoto, -
14:00 - 14:03revitalize Japan with culture,
-
14:03 - 14:05contribute to the happiness of people
in the world, -
14:05 - 14:08as well as to world peace with culture.
-
14:08 - 14:13
I'll make every effort and strive
to achieve these goals with you. -
14:13 - 14:16(Applause)
- Title:
- Bringing a more human approach to community revitalization | Daisaku Kadokawa | TEDxKyoto
- Description:
-
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.
- Video Language:
- Japanese
- Team:
- closed TED
- Project:
- TEDxTalks
- Duration:
- 14:23
TED Translators admin approved English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto | ||
Kazumi Tsutada accepted English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto | ||
Kayoko Shiomi edited English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto | ||
Kayoko Shiomi edited English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto | ||
Kayoko Shiomi edited English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto | ||
Kayoko Shiomi edited English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto | ||
Kayoko Shiomi edited English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto | ||
Kayoko Shiomi edited English subtitles for こころの創生を重視した地方創生へのアプローチ | 門川 大作 | TEDxKyoto |