Gavin Howe
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which are the country's first level of jurisdiction and administrative division. Each prefecture has its own governor and legislative body, and they are responsible for tasks delegated to them by the national government. While there are some differences in terminology between Tokyo and other prefectures, the only functional difference is that Tokyo administers wards as well as cities. Prefectures have separate, independent government structures from municipalities, and municipalities must follow prefectural legislation. Before World War II, different laws applied to fu and ken, but this distinction was abolished after the war, and now the two types of prefecture are functionally the same.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Prefectures in Japan | 47 |
| Japanese Word for Prefectures | ken (県) |
| Exceptions to the Word Ken | Osaka-fu, Kyoto-fu, Hokkaido, and Tokyo-to |
| Prefectures with Different Laws | Fu and Ken before World War II |
| Current Laws for Fu and Ken | Same |
| Prefectures with Municipal Services | Tokyo-to |
| Number of Cities with Municipal Services | 23 |
| Called | tokubetsuku (特別区) or "special wards" |
| Prefectures with Subprefectural Bureaus | Hokkaidō |
| Court System in Japan | Four Tiers |
| Number of Summary Courts | 438 |
| Number of District Courts | 1 per Prefecture |
| Number of High Courts | 8 |
| Supreme Court | 1 |
| Family Courts | 1 tied to each District Court |
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What You'll Learn
The Local Autonomy Law
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which are the country's first level of jurisdiction and administrative division, ranking immediately below the national government. The Local Autonomy Law of 1947 gave more political power to prefectures, installing prefectural governors and parliaments. This law established most of Japan's contemporary local government structures and administrative divisions, including prefectures, municipalities, and other entities.
The Meiji government established the current system in July 1871 with the abolition of the han system and the establishment of the prefecture system. Although there were initially over 300 prefectures, many of them former han territories, this number was reduced to 72 in the latter part of 1871, and 47 in 1888.
The Local Autonomy Act was revised in 1969, requiring local governments to produce a forward-looking Basic Plan (kihon keikaku) for their long-term economic and social development, covering a duration of around 25 years. This plan must be approved by the elected local council as part of comprehensive planning tied to local fiscal decision-making.
De facto, prefectures and municipalities have often been less autonomous than the formal extent of the local autonomy law suggests, due to national funding and policies. Most municipalities depend heavily on central government funding, and in many policy areas, the basic framework is tightly set by national laws.
Japan's legal system is primarily based on legal codes and statutes, with precedents also playing an important role. The country's constitution, enacted after World War II, is the supreme law in Japan. An independent judiciary has the power to review laws and government acts for constitutionality.
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Differences in terminology
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which are the country's first level of jurisdiction and administrative division. Most of the prefectures are called ken (県) in Japanese, for example, Kanagawa Prefecture would be Kanagawa-ken. There are four exceptions: Osaka-fu, Kyoto-fu, Hokkaido, and Tokyo-to. As a result, the prefectures are collectively referred to as to-do-fu-ken (都道府県).
There are some differences in terminology between Tokyo and other prefectures. For example, police and fire departments are called chō (庁) in Tokyo, instead of honbu (本部) in other prefectures. Tokyo is also slightly different from other prefectural governments in that it offers some municipal services to the 23 cities, known as tokubetsuku (特別区) or "special wards," forming its urban core.
The central core of Tokyo is divided into 23 "special wards" or tokubetsu ku (特別区). These "wards" are similar to regular cities under Japanese law, and all refer to themselves as "cities" in English. The name "ku" comes from the period before World War II when Tokyo was incorporated as a city. After the city was disbanded in 1943, most of its functions were passed down to the "ku", while a few others were passed up to the prefectural or "metropolitan" government.
In 1943, Tokyo-shi's 35 wards remained Tokyo-to's 35 wards, but the submunicipal authorities of Tokyo-shi's wards, which previously fell directly under the municipality, now fell directly under the prefectural or "Metropolitan" authority. The reorganisation aimed to consolidate the administration of the area around the capital by eliminating the extra level of authority in Tokyo. The governor was also no longer called chiji, but chōkan (~"head/chief [usually: of a central government agency]") as in Hokkaidō.
In addition to the differences in terminology, there are also some variations in the administrative structure of the prefectures. Villages or mura (村) are the smallest type of municipality in Japan, and there are no legal requirements to be designated as a village. Prefectural governments may designate municipalities as towns or cho (町). Villages and towns are organised into rural districts called gun (郡) for addressing purposes, but these are not governing entities. Villages and towns are distinguished from cities as they are governed through meetings called sokai (総会), which are comprised of all eligible voters within the town or village.
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Municipal acts and prefectural legislation
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which are the country's first level of jurisdiction and administrative division. Each prefecture has its own governor and legislative body, and they are run by governors and legislators chosen in popular elections. Prefectures have separate, independent government structures from municipalities, which are designed to provide most local government functions. Prefectures, on the other hand, are designed to provide functions for the larger area encompassing multiple municipalities.
Municipalities must follow prefectural legislation, and any municipal act in violation of prefectural legislation is considered void. Prefectural governments may designate municipalities as towns or cho (町). Villages and towns are organized into rural districts called gun (郡) for addressing purposes, but these are not governing entities. Villages and towns are distinguished from cities in that governance is through meetings called sokai (総会), comprised of all eligible voters within the town or village. Villages or mura (村) are the smallest type of municipality in Japan, and there are no legal requirements to be designated as a village.
The Local Autonomy Law of 1947 gave more political power to prefectures, and installed prefectural governors and parliaments. There are some differences in terminology between Tokyo and other prefectures: police and fire departments are called chō (庁) instead of honbu (本部), for instance. But the only functional difference between Tōkyō-to and other prefectures is that Tokyo administers wards as well as cities.
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Prefectures' administrative and juridical services
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which form the country's first level of jurisdiction and administrative division. These units rank immediately below the national government and their governments handle a range of administrative and juridical services for their residents.
The Meiji government established the current system in July 1871 with the abolition of the han system and the establishment of the prefecture system. The Local Autonomy Law of 1947 gave more political power to prefectures, installing prefectural governors and parliaments. Prefectures have their own governors and legislative bodies, with the governor and legislators chosen in popular elections. Prefectures also operate their own police forces, maintain networks of prefectural roads, and carry out various other urban and rural planning functions.
Each jurisdiction has a chief executive, called a governor in prefectures and a mayor in municipalities. Most jurisdictions also have a unicameral assembly, although towns and villages may opt for direct governance by citizens in a general assembly. Both the executive and assembly are elected by popular vote every four years. Local governments follow a modified version of the separation of powers used in the national government.
The central core of Tokyo is divided into 23 "special wards" or tokubetsu ku. These wards are very similar to regular cities under Japanese law; all call themselves "cities" in English. The reorganisation of 1943 aimed to consolidate the administration of the area around the capital by eliminating the extra level of authority in Tokyo. All other cities, towns, and villages in Tokyo-fu stayed cities, towns, and villages in Tokyo-to.
The law of Japan refers to the legal system in Japan, which is primarily based on legal codes and statutes, with precedents also playing an important role. Japan has a civil law legal system with six legal codes, which were greatly influenced by Germany and, to a lesser extent, France, and also adapted to Japanese circumstances. The Japanese Constitution enacted after World War II is the supreme law in Japan. An independent judiciary has the power to review laws and government acts for constitutionality.
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The Union of Kansai governments
In Japan, the word "ken" (県) is used to refer to most of the country's 47 prefectures. Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Tokyo are the four exceptions, with Osaka and Kyoto being urban prefectures, Hokkaido being a regional prefecture, and Tokyo being a metropolis.
The "Union of Kansai Governments" (Kansai kōiki-rengō) is a unique entity established by several prefectural governments in the Kansai region. It is distinct from other cross-prefectural cooperation forums, such as the Kantō regional governors' association and the "Shutoken summit," as it is a local public entity under the local autonomy law, allowing for the direct transfer of national or local government functions.
To achieve this, the Union of Kansai Governments recognizes the importance of gathering and executing clear and effective cultural information from each local government. This approach is based on the understanding that culture has a close influence on people's lives and the economy. The Union also emphasizes the need for financial support and cooperation among local governments and people to effectively promote Kansai culture and train talented successors for the next generation.
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Frequently asked questions
Before World War II, different laws applied to the two types of prefectures, "fu" and "ken". However, this distinction was abolished after the war, and now all 47 prefectures are functionally the same. Prefectures have separate, independent government structures from municipalities, and are designed to provide functions for the larger area encompassing multiple municipalities.
Most prefectures are called "ken" in Japanese, but there are four exceptions: Osaka-fu, Kyoto-fu, Hokkaido, and Tokyo-to. As a result, the prefectures are collectively referred to as "to-do-fu-ken". There are 43 prefectures proper ("ken"), two urban prefectures ("fu": Osaka and Kyoto), one regional prefecture ("dō": Hokkaidō) and one metropolis ("to": Tokyo).
Prefectures are responsible for tasks delegated to them by the national government, such as maintaining most ordinary national roads (except in designated major cities). They also coordinate and support their municipalities in their functions. Each prefecture has its own governor and legislative body, and citizens have several enumerated rights to petition local governments.
