A Message from Lisa Wakabayashi:Reflecting on My First Year in Office

It has now been one full year since I was elected to the Setagaya City Assembly in May 2023.
Thanks to your constant encouragement and support, I’ve been able to carry out my work every day.
I sincerely thank each and every one of you.

Throughout this year, I’ve prioritized keeping the public informed by sharing all of my council questions and activities on YouTube and social media. If you have a moment, please take a look — even the past ones!

In total, I’ve raised 124 questions in the past year — a number that even surprised me when I counted it. (This does not include my remarks at regular committee meetings, which would add even more.)

Looking back, I’m proud that several of my proposals have already turned into concrete action — including my very first success just two and a half months after taking office, when my proposal to digitalize the volunteer registration system for disaster response involving animals was officially implemented.

And this year, I’m especially pleased to report a major accomplishment from the recent budget committee:
The amount of financial aid for community cat initiatives has been increased!
This was a key item from my election campaign platform.

In last year’s regular session, I first proposed improvements to this program. Then, in the settlement committee, I presented detailed budget calculations, demonstrating that doubling the previous year’s budget would allow for full coverage of the current and projected number of community cats — effectively making the support free of charge.
I’m thrilled that this proposal was accepted as-is and officially adopted.
Achieving this increase — and making it virtually cost-free — is a breakthrough that had never been accomplished before.

I will continue closely monitoring the results and progress next fiscal year.
When it comes to community cats, you can count on me.

Beyond that, I remain committed to advancing various initiatives, including:

• Government digital transformation (DX)

• Local industry promotion

• Disaster preparedness

• Animal welfare and pet evacuation

• Anti-secondhand smoke policies

By listening to residents’ voices and studying policy in detail, I’ll continue working with precision and care to improve life in our city.

I will keep doing my best to bring real, meaningful change — proposal by proposal — to make Setagaya even better.

Thank you always for your continued support.

Lisa Wakabayashi