It is well known that localizing the SDGs is essential and considerable research has investigated the policy translation after introducing the SDGs. However, since few have explored how the domestic policies used to be, changes brought by the SDGs are ambiguous. This article traces the gradual changing of an initiative in Japan, which evolved into the SDGs Future Cities Initiative. By analyzing official records from 2008 to 2018, this article shows that under the constant tension between international norms and local issues, the way of localizing the SDGs was shaped far before it was introduced. The institutional development of the initiative led to the SDGs becoming a political tool for enhancing existing policy and finding solutions for local issues. This article suggests that for addressing local issues, policymakers need to be flexible in using the SDGs to enhance domestic policies instead of just aiming at achieving them.