Call for Participants for “Symposium 2023 on Tokyo’s Rivers

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) will hold the following symposium to deepen your knowledge about the rivers in Tokyo, which are close to you. We look forward to your participation.
⇒ Symposium 2023 on Tokyo’s Rivers Flyer [6.3MB].

Theme: Waterfront Improvement for the Future Tokyo

　In the past, the Sumida River and other rivers were the center of culture, economy, and daily life. Even today, the waterfront is being utilized in a variety of ways, with open-air cafes along the river bustling with activity and marche markets being held in various locations. Meanwhile, as lifestyles and work styles change, the importance of open space in public spaces, including waterfront areas, is growing in terms of its ability to provide “comfort and enrichment. In this symposium, we will consider how the future of Tokyo’s waterfront should be envisioned, and what kind of future the great figures of the past envisioned and entrusted to us.

Program

Organizer’s Address] (video message)

Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo

Keynote Speech

Speaker: Takayuki Kishii

　Professor Emeritus, Nihon University
　（President of the Research Institute of Metrology and Planning
　Visiting Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies

The chairperson of the study group on “Waterfront Improvement for Future Tokyo” will talk about the role of “rivers” in future urban development!

Lecture theme: “Toward the New Tokyo Waterfront 100 Views” Development and utilization of waterfront for the future TOKYO

　The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has launched a study group on “Waterfront Improvement for the Future Tokyo” in 2022, and has repeatedly discussed the future of Tokyo’s urban development and rivers.
　Based on the report compiled this time, we would like to discuss with you how the waterfront should be developed and utilized for the future Tokyo.
　More than 160 years have passed since Hiroshige Utagawa painted “Meisho Edo hyakkei (One hundred Famous Views of Edo),” so let us once again focus on the waterfront and consider the 100 new Tokyo waterfront views.

Special Lecture

Speaker: Mr. Tetsuo OWADA

　Professor Emeritus, Shizuoka University
　President of the Japan Castle Foundation
　Director, Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, Gifu

The historical archaeologist of the historical drama “What to do about Ieyasu” will give a thorough explanation of the urban development of Edo!

Lecture Theme: Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Edo Remodeling Plan and Rivers

　In 1590, Tokugawa Ieyasu was ordered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to relocate the Hojo clan’s estate to the Kanto region. The castle was moved from Sunpu to Edo, but until then Edo had not developed as a castle town, although there was a branch castle of Odawara Castle, Edo Castle. It was a marshy area with several rivers flowing through it. Therefore, Ieyasu began to build a new town along with the construction of the castle. This section follows how Ieyasu changed the flow of the river and developed the town of Edo.

Application Guidelines

Date	Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Time	From 13:30 to 16:30 (*The closing time may vary depending on the progress of the day.
Venue	Shinjuku Municipal Citizens’ Hall (Kakuhazama Citizens’ Hall) (4-33-7 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Number of participants	Venue: 180 people (online application is also available)
How to apply	Application can be made by return postcard or via the Internet. There is no participation fee. ＜If you apply by return postcard 　Please fill in the following items on the return postcard and send it to the address below. Name and age of all participants (up to 5 persons per application) Address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the representative (if you have one) How to participate (at the venue or online) <If you are applying via the Internet If you are using a computer, please click here ↓↓. https://www.shinsei.elg-front.jp/tokyo2/navi/procInfo.do?govCode=13000&procCode=11015940 For smartphone users, please click here ↓↓ https://www.shinsei.elg-front.jp/tokyo2/navi/procInfoSmart.do?govCode=13000&procCode=11015940 There is no limit to the number of people who can apply online, but please make sure to apply by return postcard or via the Internet. *Please note that preschool children aged 6 months or older may be accepted for those who come to the venue on the day of the event. (from 13:00 to the end of the event) If you wish to use this service, please indicate on the application postcard that you wish to use the childcare service and the number of children you wish to have. (There is a limit to the number of children that can be accepted.) If the number of applicants exceeds the number of children accepted, a drawing will be held. Regardless of whether or not a lottery is held, we will notify you of the result by e-mail or mail within 10 days of the application deadline.
Deadline	June 30, 2023 (Friday), postmarked on the same day and valid for receipt
Mailing address	8-1, Nishi-Shinjuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan Environmental Planning Section, Planning Division, River Department, Bureau of Construction, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Precautions	Please refrain from coming to the venue by car. Please refrain from coming to the venue by car. Please refrain from eating and drinking at the venue.
Other	Personal information provided at the time of application will be used only for the purpose of providing information on the event and we will take all possible measures to protect such information.

Venue Map

For inquiries, please contact

Environmental Planning Section, Planning Division, River Department 03-5320-5425