Municipalities in Japan facts for kids
Japan has many local governments called municipalities. These are like smaller areas within the country. They help manage daily life for people living there. In Japanese, they are called shikuchōson (市区町村).
There are three main types of municipalities in Japan:
Tokyo, Japan's capital, also has a special type. It has 23 special areas called special wards. These wards act like their own small cities.
Contents
How Japan's Local Governments Began
Japan's local governments have a long history. In 1878, the national government created new laws. These laws helped set up how local areas would be managed.
Three Levels of Government
After these laws, Japan had three main levels of government:
- The national government, which leads the whole country.
- Mid-level areas called prefectures. Japan has 47 prefectures.
- Local areas called municipalities. These are the cities, towns, and villages.
Changes Over Time
In 1889, the system for municipalities became even clearer. Japan then had 39 cities and 15,820 towns and villages. This new system blended Japanese traditions with ideas from other countries.
After 1898, people living in these areas could vote. They elected their own local leaders. This gave local communities more power over their own affairs.
In 1947, a new law called the "Local Autonomy Law" was passed. This law made the system of municipalities even better. It helped local governments work more independently.
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