Prefectures of Japan

The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 sub-national jurisdictions: one "metropolis" (都; To), Tokyo; one "circuit" (道; Dō), Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures (府; Fu), Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures (県; Ken). In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as Todōfuken (都道府県).

Related Topics:
Prefecture - Japan - Jurisdiction - Tokyo - Circuit - Hokkaidō - Osaka - Kyoto - Japanese

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The current system was established by the Meiji government in July 1871, and is known as the abolition of the han system. The prefectures also replace the former provinces. Although there were initially over 300 prefectures, many of them being former han territories, this number was reduced to 72 in the latter part of 1871, and 47 in 1888. The Local Autonomy Law of 1947 gave more political power to prefectures, and provided for locally-elected governors. In 2003, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi proposed that the government consolidate the current prefectures into about 10 regional states. The plan called for each region to have greater autonomy than existing prefectures.

Related Topics:
Meiji government - 1871 - Abolition of the han system - Provinces - 1888 - Local Autonomy Law - 1947 - 2003 - Junichiro Koizumi

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Under the current Local Autonomy Law, each prefecture is further subdivided into cities (市 shi) and counties (郡 gun). Each county is further subdivided into towns (町 chō or machi) and villages (村; son or mura). Hokkaido has 14 subprefectures and each as branch office (支庁 shichō) of the prefecture. Some other prefectures also have branch offices, which carry out prefectural administrative functions outside the capital.

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