TSV
Types of Local Governments in Japan - TSV
The types of local governments in Japan are a classification system of local public entities established under the Local Autonomy Law. They are broadly divided into ordinary local public entities (prefectures and municipalities) and special local public entities (special wards, associations of local public entities, and property wards). Prefectures are wide-area local public entities that encompass municipalities, while municipalities are basic local public entities that provide administrative services closest to residents. Special wards refer to the 23 wards of Tokyo, functioning as basic local public entities similar to municipalities, but legally classified as special local public entities.
local autonomy
local public entities
prefectures
municipalities
special wards
Local Autonomy Law
administrative divisions
code slug name description category count
1 prefecture Prefecture Wide-area local public entities that encompass municipalities. Ordinary Local Public Entity (Wide-area) 47
2 city City Basic local public entities with a population of 50,000 or more. Ordinary Local Public Entity (Basic) 792
3 town Town Basic local public entities in areas that do not qualify as cities. Ordinary Local Public Entity (Basic) 743
4 village Village Basic local public entities in agricultural and mountain village areas. Ordinary Local Public Entity (Basic) 183
5 special-ward Special Ward The wards of Tokyo, functioning as basic local public entities similar to municipalities. Special Local Public Entity (Basic) 23
6 association Association of Local Public Entities Organizations for multiple local public entities to jointly handle administrative affairs. Special Local Public Entity
7 property-ward Property Ward Entities within municipalities or special wards for managing property and public facilities. Special Local Public Entity