Quick Facts
Biography
Takaaki Yamazaki (山崎孝明, Yamazaki Takaaki, born 1943) is the mayor of Koto, Tokyo. He is also an advisor to the head of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee.
Early life and career
He was born in 1943 in Koto city, and attended Waseda University, graduating from the faculty of commerce in 1967. In 1983 he was elected as a member of the Koto City Assembly and served two terms. In 1991 he was elected as a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and served five terms. He became mayor of Koto in 2011. He is supported by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
As mayor
In 2011 he accepted the burying of 3,000 tons of radiation-tainted sludge being buried in a breakwater project in Tokyo bay.
In 2013 Yamazaki suggested introducing joint "Tokyo Wangan" (Tokyo Bay area) car license plates with six Tokyo Wards.
After Tokyo was selected for the 2020 Olympics Yamazaki stated that he wanted to make Koto the "Olympic city" and move forward with plans for the 5.2 Hachigo line subway from Toyosu to Toyo.
In 2014 he considered the construction of a cable car from Shiodome to Toyosu.