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Message from the National Governors' Association President

Message from the National Governors' Association President

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My name is Yoshihiro Murai, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture, who took office as the Chairman of the National Governors' Association on September 3, 2023.

During the unprecedented catastrophe of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the affected areas received warm support from across the country for recovery and reconstruction. I would like to repay this kindness by fulfilling my duties as chairman.

Under the leadership of the former Chairman Hirai, the 47 governors of the National Governors' Association have worked together to confront the COVID-19 pandemic and rising prices. We have also newly established the National Movement Headquarters through which we have been making full-scale efforts to create vertical links between local governments and horizontal links with the private sector. Over the next two years, I would like to build upon our past efforts to achieve further progress.

Furthermore, I would like to utilize my unique, unpolished but sincere life experiences in the management of the National Governor's Association, such as my experiences as a Self-Defense Force officer to direct the recovery and reconstructions efforts from the Great East Japan Earthquake, and my experience being a local assembly member, and resultant understanding of local assembly members' perspective.

Japanese society is currently facing the issue of a rapidly declining population. In this light, I believe that one important role of the Governor's Association will be to review the customary practices of each region and examine how to both streamline and increase the performance of government administration nationwide. To achieve this, as a Governor's Association which produces results, we will work hard on the following four agendas.

The first is about our approach to overseas.

Currently, each prefecture is working to promote products and tourism overseas and to secure technical intern trainees. However, there is a limit to how each prefecture can handle promotion activities overseas and gather information on overseas markets alone. For this reason, we are working with the Japanese government, JETRO, and others to establish a system wherein the National Governors' Association can share and promote the attractive qualities of Japan and each of its regions.

Specifically, we aim to create a system that enables more effective and efficient activities, such as organizing delegations as the National Governors' Association and dispatching them to areas of each prefecture which need additional support.

The second is the streamlining of government administration.

As the population shrinks, so does the number of local government staff, while conversely the administrative demand for responses to increasingly diverse and complex societal issues rising. To appropriately respond to these increasing administrative demands, we will review projects which necessitate collaboration with the national government, and various projects implemented by prefectures in partnership with the national government. We will then discuss said projects with related organizations and institutions and ensure that the projects' future directions are in alignment with the reality of a rapidly decreasing population.

The third is to stimulate public debate toward realizing a decentralized society.

In order to realize a decentralized society, it is necessary not only to talk about the division of roles between the national and local governments but also to advance discussions aimed at strengthening local autonomy, so that every citizen can become engaged members of society and recognize their own ability to make change. To that end, we will continue to exchange views with various parties on the significance and importance of local autonomy, thereby leading to a national movement.

The fourth is to strengthen the support system used in the event of a large-scale natural disaster.

Even after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan has continued to be hit by large-scale natural disasters almost every year, including typhoons, earthquakes, and heavy rains. In addition, as there is a possibility of a Nankai Trough earthquake or an earthquake directly under the Tokyo metropolitan area in the near future, it is essential to prepare for such natural disasters. In the event of a large-scale natural disaster, the National Governors' Association plays a role in dispatching administrative staff to provide support. However, to prepare for in a disaster such as an earthquake directly under the Tokyo metropolitan area, the National Governors' Association will strengthen an effective, region-wide backup system by implementing drills and other measures to ensure that nationwide support functions in the event Tokyo suffers significant damage.

Lastly, the current global situation, including the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, pandemics such as COVID-19, security issues in neighboring countries, and security measures is becoming increasingly severe. I believe that it is precisely because of these circumstances that the National Governors' Association has a significant role to play.

The National Governors' Association is no exception regarding operational efficiency. The National Governors' Association has 10 headquarters, 4 special committees, 7 standing committees, and even the standing Committee has a project team. There is also a National Governors' Association Secretariat which supports behind the scenes.

As the chairman, rather than unilaterally making all decisions, I will work hard to enable these organizations to fulfill their duties and maximize their potential. I am confident that if we all work together, we can overcome any challenge.

Aiming to be a Governor's Association which produces results, the National Governors' Association will work together with the people of Japan, the national government, municipalities, and various organizations to resolve societal issues. We look forward to your generous understanding, support, and guidance.

Murai Yoshihiro
President
National Governors'Association