The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will launch this fall a council of about 25 foreign residents.
About half of the participants will be selected through public applications, and the remainder designated by the governor. A working-level group of metropolitan officials finished May 7 a set of draft policies for the council for finalization and public announcement May 16, sources said.
According to the draft policies, the council will serve as an advisory body to the Tokyo governor. The governor will "respect" advice and proposals from the council but is not obliged to implement them.