The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 first-order subnational jurisdictions on a state or provincial level: one "metropolis" (都 to), Tokyo; one "circuit"/territory (道 dō), Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures (府 fu), Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures (県 ken). Prefectures are governmental bodies larger than cities, towns, and villages. The prefecture system was established in 1871 during the Meiji Restoration.
The chief executive of each prefecture is a directly elected governor (ja:知事, chiji?). Ordinances and budgets are enacted by a unicameral (single chamber) assembly (議会, gikai?) whose elected members serve four-year terms.
Under the current Local Autonomy Law, each prefecture is further subdivided into cities (市 shi) and districts (郡 gun). Each district is further subdivided into towns (町 chō or machi) and villages (村 son or mura). For example, Hokkaidō has 14 subprefectures which act as branch offices (支庁 shichō) of the prefecture. Some other prefectures also have branch offices, which carry out prefectural administrative functions outside the capital. Tokyo, the capital is a merged city-prefecture, it has features of both cities and prefectures.
Read more about Prefectures Of Japan: Historical Background, Types of Prefectures
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