On this occasion, the Mayor of Tokyo City, Inose Naoki had an exchange with reporters of Economics & Urban Newspaper for the results and prospects of cooperation between the ANMC21 city members in general and between Tokyo and Hanoi in particular.As of the 12th Conference in Hanoi, ANMC21 has come a long way. As the head of the city government of Tokyo – the City proposed to establish ANMC21, how do you evaluate the effectiveness of the cooperation?
- I totally agreed with the view that the Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen The Thao has repeatedly emphasized at the session of this conference. He said that cooperation is not only the demand but also the solutions for process of economic and social development in general of each city and the country in the present context .This is also the reason that in 2001, the Tokyo government has taken the initiative to establish ANMC21 to deal with the challenges before it turns into a crisis. Even now, though Tokyo is a big city with a long history but still faces many difficulties and challenges in the development process, especially in urban planning as well as energy efficiency. Through discussions at the conference, we have learned a lot experience from countries in the region.
Attending ANMC21 conference, how do you assess the organization of Hanoi?
- In the first day (November 18), due to busy schedule,I decided to jog at Thu Le park to relieve stress. And I was surprised that security in Hanoi is very good, I can comfortably workout without any threat or disturbing. The atmosphere in here is pretty good, so I have enough sanity to participate in the activities arranged. Moreover, the jogging gives me a more realistic view of Hanoi and I will not feel surprised if your capital to be selected as host of the General Conference ANMC21 again.
The contents of meeting you constructed were so practical, organization and operating were so effective. In addition, the workshop on investment promotion, trade and tourism in Asia for the first time Hanoi has been organized to facilitate the city members to exchange, introduce about the potential, opportunities of economic cooperation, trade investment, tourism, etc.
During the two-day working here, how do you assess the status of a metropolitan city like Hanoi?
- In my opinion, Hanoi has developed rather fast with constructral schemes underway everywhere. And more impressive is that I see the warm smile everywhere, the enthusiastic reception. Regarding the status of Hanoi traffic, it is potentially risky because there are too many personal vehicles. Emissions from millions of motorcycles will definitely be a big problem in the future for your capital. I personally believe that Hanoi should focus more on the system of public passenger transport to reduce traffic congestion and pollution restrictions from emissions of personal vehicles .
Does a public transportation system like Japan's Shinkansen promote effectively when set in Hanoi or not, sir?
- High-speed rail system Shinkansen was inaugurated in 1964, from an initial maximum speed is 210 km/h, so far reaching speeds of 443 km/h and up to 581 km/h for trains running on the buffer. Thanks to Shinkansen, traffic between Tokyo with the largest city on the island of Honshu and Kyushu is guaranteed and it has worked very effectively in the earthquakes and of Japan. Hanoi can build a similar system but need to be carefully studied because the urban characteristics of Hanoi and Tokyo is very different .
On the position as head of the City government of Tokyo, what will you make a move to support collaborative projects to build the subway system which the Japanese Government suggested for Hanoi?
- Currently, Japan is supporting Hanoi to build a system of subway station but in my opinon, for working efficiently, besides building infrastructure standards, Hanoi needs to pay attention to the implementation and operators. With experience gained in many years of construction and development of the subway system, the City government of Tokyo ready to help Hanoi to build software systems to control and train human resource to use that software .
At this ANMC21 Conference, Hanoi and Tokyo signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the 4 fields. In future, which kinds of fields Hanoi - Tokyo will has the ability to cooperate,sir?
- For many years, Japan has supported Hanoi in many projects such as environmental protection, urban planning, education, culture and sports, etc. and the implementation of the projects has achieve positive results. As I said, Hanoi had many personal vehicles, causing environmental pollution, so Tokyo will hold a workshop in Hanoi to find solutions as well as introducing experts and mechanical systems to accurately measure the level of pollution, which seeks to effectively handle. Currently, Hanoi has over 4,700 students studying in Japan, so that Tokyo City will support and assist the student to practice in Tokyo. This MOU will certainly create new impetus for the development of bilateral relations between the two city in the future.
On cooperation in the future, in my opinion, Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular have a lot of potential to continue to develop, in addition to four above-mentioned fields, we are ready to cooperate more extensively with Hanoi in the other fields and strengths of Tokyo.
Thank you so much!
