Ko Takeuchi, Senior Urban Development Specialist at the World Bank, delivering a presentation.
On December 12, 2025, the City of Yokohama and the Yokohama Urban Solutions Alliance (YUSA)—an organization established primarily by small and medium-sized enterprises in Yokohama to expand overseas infrastructure business opportunities and contribute to addressing urban challenges in developing countries—hosted the 52nd Y-PORT Workshop. The workshop was attended primarily by private-sector representatives and focused on green and resilient buildings, with participants exchanging views from both public and private perspectives on how to advance decarbonization and sustainable urban development. Engagement with the private sector is an important aspect of the Tokyo Development Learning Center’s (TDLC) outreach, particularly in areas such as green and resilient buildings, where private-sector innovation and investment play a significant role.
The World Bank was represented by Ko Takeuchi, Senior Urban Development Specialist, Urban, Resilience and Land Global Department, and Shoko Tawara, Co- Task Team Leader of the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC).
Ko Takeuchi presented how the building sector can contribute to climate action. He noted that while global building stock is expected to continue expanding significantly in the coming decades, the building sector already accounts for a substantial share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, he emphasized that relatively accessible measures—such as improving heating and cooling efficiency, introducing high-efficiency appliances, and expanding the use of renewable energy—can enable the building sector to become a key part of the climate solution.
He also addressed the growing climate- and disaster-related risks such as floods, heatwaves, and earthquakes. In addition to energy efficiency, the presentation underscored the need to comprehensively strengthen building resilience by incorporating seismic safety, disaster preparedness, and accessibility. Furthermore, the importance of combining building standards and regulatory frameworks with support for the renovation and construction of public buildings, as well as results-based investment approaches that integrate policy, technology, and financing, was highlighted.
Shoko Tawara introduced TDLC’s engagement with the private sector. During the workshop, concrete opportunities were presented for private-sector companies and experts to participate in TDLC’s training programs and knowledge-sharing activities. These include participation as observers, presenters of technical solutions, and resource experts, allowing private-sector actors to directly understand the needs of developing countries and contribute to expanding solutions through public–private collaboration.
Established in 2004 as a partnership between the Government of Japan and the World Bank, TDLC serves as a knowledge hub that connects Japan’s practical experience in urban policy and city development with global urban challenges. Through initiatives such as the City Partnership Program (CPP), Technical Deep Dives (TDDs), technical support to World Bank operations, and knowledge dissemination, TDLC connects urban stakeholders in Japan and developing countries and supports their collaboration.
Shoko Tawara, Co- Task Team Leader of the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) introduced TDLC’s engagement with the private sector.