The Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21) has established a wide range of training programs in specialized categories which are targeted at the policy administrators and technical specialists of ANMC21 member cities. On this occasion we introduce following two programs: the "Support with the Formulation of a Comprehensive Plan for Public Transport" (hereinafter referred to as the "transport training") and the "Training and Joint Research in Connection with Urban Planning with Strong Resistance to Earthquakes" (hereinafter referred to as the "earthquake training"). Both of these programs were conducted in Tokyo from August 5th to 8th, 2014.

Both programs were managed by the Bureau of Urban Development, Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG). The transport training was planned and implemented by the Transportation Planning Section of the Urban Infrastructure Division, while both the planning section of the Urban Development Projects Division and the Building Planning section of the Urban Building Division were responsible for the earthquake training's planning and implementation. In both instances, the Regional Coordination Section of the Urban Development Policy Division was responsible for the introductory and summary elements of the programs.

The transport training this year welcomed a single participant from Bangkok, while the earthquake training welcomed a total of three participants, one from Bangkok and two from Seoul.

(1st Day of Training)
Participants were welcomed to the training programs when they arrived on the 1st Floor of TMG Building No. 2. Once all the participants had gathered, the party moved to the meeting room and the opening ceremony was conducted. After the Director General's welcoming address, the participants eagerly embarked on their four days of training.

After the opening ceremony, we had an orientation session. In this session, the participant tried a "Tokyo Water" offered by the Bureau of Waterworks. It gained good reputations, and some even used the Japanese word, oishi (delicious), to describe what was depicted.

As their initial training lesson, both the transport and earthquake training participants received a lecture on urban development in Tokyo.

After this had concluded, the group broke up and the transport training and the earthquake training were conducted separately. In the transport training, the participant received an explanation of the basic concept of public transport planning within Tokyo, and some information regarding the field inspections to be undertaken from the following day. In the earthquake training, participants received lectures on both the changes made to Japan's earthquake resistance code, and also on those regulations that are designed to promote the seismic retrofit of buildings that are situated along emergency transportation roads.

After the conclusion of lectures on the first day, a welcome party was held at the restaurant on the 32nd Floor of TMG Building No. 1. In a lively atmosphere, the participants from the different cities were able to relax with pleasant conversation and deepen their exchanges among one another.

(2nd & 3rd Days of Training)
Transport Training
On the second day of the transport training, lectures on Tokyo's bus operations and the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) system were conducted. After these lectures had concluded, the participant was then taken from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station. At Tokyo Station the participant had the opportunity to experience a round trip on the Shinkansen (bullet train) between Tokyo and Shin-Yokohama Stations. In discovering that the carriage seating could be rotated so as to enjoy conversation face-to-face, in addition to being able to confirm the nature of this transportation system, the participant also fully enjoyed the experience of actually traveling on the Shinkansen.

The next site visit destinations were the Kabuki-za (Kabuki Theater), JP Tower and the Marunouchi Park Building which are examples of the development of railway stations that incorporate connecting passageways and facilities. Through this visit, the participant could confirm the manner in which railway stations and the adjoining passageways connect together. Furthermore, at the Kabuki-za the participant received an explanation regarding the site's redevelopment from a staff of Shochiku (which is a company operating Kabuki-za). The second day of training was concluded with an inspection of the Kabuki-za office and the facilities below the theatre stage. It should also be noted that during the transport training, the participant also had an opportunity to use the IC card ticketing system when both moving around the city and buying refreshments, etc., and experienced how such a system could improve convenience.

On the third day of the transport training, the participant gave a presentation on Bangkok situation which includes, in addition to an outline of Bangkok's transportation, a range of transportation plans within the city, and the implementation of bicycle lanes and share-cycle measures, etc. In that the discussions following the presentation were so intense as to almost exceed the allotted time, the presentation represented a very meaningful opportunity for the exchange of opinions. After the Bangkok presentation concluded, the participant visited the Traffic Control Center of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) traveling on the Toei Oedo Subway Line. After watching a video on traffic systems at the center, an MPD officer explained the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to the participant.

After this, the party moved to the headquarters of the New Transit "Yurikamome" where a briefing outlining the system was given. "Yurikamome" is a system that operates automatically through computer control which is managed 24 hours a day. Furthermore, as a result of the employment of new transportation systems, precipitous operations have become possible, and a reduction in the level of initial investment achieved.

Earthquake Training
On the second day of earthquake training, participants received a lecture on plans to promote the building of a disaster-resistant city. They also received explanations regarding field inspections. After this, they visit the Ikebukuro Life Safety Learning Center by bus. At the center, in addition to inspecting the facilities along with members of the general public, participants were able to experience a quake of the magnitude of the Great East Japan Earthquake at the center's Earthquake Simulation Section. This seemed to be a valuable experience for those participants who previously had not experienced an earthquake. Next, the participants visited the Shinjuku Center Building which has undergone seismic retrofitting. There they received an explanation regarding the seismic retrofits from the person responsible for carrying them out. They also had the opportunity to carry out an inspection of the facilities and this concluded the second day of training.

On the third day of training, participants received an explanation of the measures being taken to dismantle areas of high-density wooden housing, and the recovery plans in place to respond to seismic disasters. The participants next visited the TMG Disaster Prevention Center. In the event of a disaster, this center will become the response headquarters of the TMG, and via cameras established in locations such as on the roof of the TMG Buildings and Rainbow Bridge, etc., at the center it is possible to see real time feeds on large screens.

After this field inspection, participants returned to the training venue and delivered their presentations. From Bangkok there was a presentation given on water damage, while Seoul gave a presentation on safety management against disaster. With respect to the particular problems that face each city, there was a passionate description given by participants as to their day-to-day dealings with these issues. There was also a healthy question and answer session in response to both presentations, and for both cities the occasion offered a meaningful time exchanging of opinions.

(4th Day of Training)
On the 4th day of training, the transport training participant had a lecture on public transport throughout Asia and discussions on the topic. Meanwhile, the earthquake training participants also attended a lecture and discussion on disaster-management throughout Asian cities.

After this, a closing ceremony was conducted and the 4th day of training closed. At the closing ceremony, the Director General of the Bureau of Urban Development appreciated participant's efforts. Furthermore, from the program participants, there was warm comment that "the TMG staff members were very kind, and the lectures were beneficial."

Both the transport training and the earthquake training are the programs conducted every year. Based on both the questionnaire completed by participants and by receiving requests when applications to participate are made, we try to develop carefully considered programs that are meaningful for the participants. We definitely look forward to the participation of everyone in these programs.

Finally, we would like to thank those people who participated in the programs for all their efforts. We would also like to truly thank both the persons who gave lectures and the people who cooperated with the field inspections. Thank you very much indeed.