Starting in July 2024, a new structure will be in place, with Kenji Matsumoto, a long-time Shibuya Ward employee, joining as Counsellor and Executive Director of Future Design Shibuya.
Here, we asked Matsumoto to look back on his work to date and talk about the future direction of Future Design Shibuya.
Interview and text: Amada Tasuku (Future Design Shibuya)
-First of all, I'd like to ask you again about your career so far.
I have been involved in Shibuya Ward administration for 37 years since joining the ward in 1987 as an employee of Shibuya Ward Office. After gaining experience as an employee in various departments for 19 years, I was promoted to a managerial position, and for the next 18 years I have devoted myself to working to improve the welfare and services of ward residents in various posts.
My 37 years at the city hall were always busy and went by in a flash, but what I always valued was to always listen sincerely to the voices of the ward residents, even when I received harsh criticism from them. I also followed the instruction given to me by Mayor Amano when I joined the ward, which is "Take care of people, don't be taken care of by others, and don't ask for anything in return," as my motto as a public servant.
I was heavily involved with Future Design Shibuya (hereinafter referred to as FDS) from 2020 to 2021, when I was the head of the Shibuya Ward Management Planning Department and was in charge of the Shibuya Ward office for FDS. During the COVID-19 pandemic, "YOU MAKE SHIBUYA Crowdfunding" called for support from Shibuya fans across the country to bring back vitality to the town of Shibuya, which had become completely deserted, and I visited many companies to ask for their support. I remember that as a public servant, it was the first time I felt firsthand how difficult it is to get companies to come up with funds.
—You've been involved with Shibuya for a long time. What do you think about the appeal and potential of the city of Shibuya?
The urban area centered around Shibuya Station is a mix of all kinds of cultures, including entertainment, art, fashion, food and drink, sports, and traditional culture, and the impression is that Shibuya is a city full of incubation, where you can feel the possibility that something new might happen or be able to happen.
On the other hand, if we look at the outskirts of the ward, in areas bordering Nakano, Suginami, Shinjuku and other wards, local community activities such as neighborhood associations and residents' associations have been active for a long time, there are many friendly shopping districts, and traditional culture and popular culture such as festivals and Bon Odori dances have been passed down continuously.
In this way, Shibuya is a city where the latest trends and traditional culture coexist beautifully, where diverse values are respected, and where differences are truly transformed into strength; a mature international cultural city.
—Considering FDS's activities up to now, what is it about FDS that you find appealing?
FDS is in its seventh year this year, and to date, many joint projects between industry, government, academia and the public have been born with the aim of solving problems in a wide range of areas, including urban development, the environment, disaster prevention, sports and education, and many of these have been implemented as services. I have always felt that it is something that the government should respect, as it has been creating and commercializing projects in areas that the government alone cannot cover.
We have received many requests to visit FDS from other local governments, city and town council members, public and public interest organizations, companies, and others, which we believe is proof that the impact of FDS's activities to date is spreading beyond the ward.
What also impresses me is that the people who work at FDS and those involved with it are all very positive, and take on new challenges every day with a spirit of trial and error. Unlike the government's approach, which focuses on how to use the budget effectively, this way of thinking and action, where you first have a problem to solve and then think about what you can do to achieve that and how to secure the budget, feels very fresh to me and is one of the biggest attractions of the job.
—What kind of organization do you think FDS should become in the future?
Six years have passed since FDS was established, and as a general incorporated association, we have entered a phase where we are required to be financially independent and self-sufficient. However, I believe that it is truly the result of everyone's efforts that we have been able to post a profit in the single-year balance for the last three consecutive years.
On the other hand, due to the nature of the co-creation of many of the projects currently being undertaken by FDS, funding is often secured for each project, which can be somewhat unstable. While continuing to pursue projects as before, we believe that we need to further improve our operational capabilities and reliability so that we can be entrusted with projects that can provide stable funding in the future.
In this context, strengthening ties with the ward and the assembly is one of our priorities. I feel that one of my roles is to gain the understanding and cooperation of the ward office and other parties involved in FDS's efforts, and to act as a bridge to foster these connections.
- Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm once again.
Going forward, we would like to continue working hard to tackle issues that the government cannot solve alone, utilizing the ideas and know-how of FDS and a wide range of companies and other organizations, through a process of trial and error, and we would like to make our activities more known to the residents of the ward, so that we can build an even stronger relationship of trust.
I have been a civil servant for the past 37 years, so this is my first time moving to the private sector and it will be a new challenge for me, but I am grateful for this opportunity and would like to enjoy this second part of my life.
We intend to continue to contribute greatly to the development of Future Design Shibuya, so we appreciate your continued support.
