Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose expressed his hope Monday in New York to start a 24-hour bus service between Shibuya and Roppongi by the end of this year, a Tokyo Metropolitan Government official said.

Inose was referring to a proposal by private-sector members of the central government's Industrial Competitiveness Council for designating special regulatory reform zones.

The proposal also recommends that the metropolitan government promote 24-hour service on lines operated by Toei Subway.

But Inose indicated that 24-hour subway services would be difficult to accomplish in the immediate future, the official said.

The council has also proposed that the metropolitan government approve medical practices for holders of foreign medical licenses and provide foreign-language emergency medical services in Tokyo.

Later in the day, Inose inspected New York's subway system, which was merged from three operators into one in the 1940s, to gain insight into how Tokyo could merge its subway operators — Tokyo Metro Co. and Toei Subway. Subways in New York operate 24 hours a day.

In New York until Friday, Inose will also promote Tokyo's bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.