Politics of Tokyo
Encyclopedia
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is headed by a publicly elected governor and metropolitan assembly. Its administrative structure is similar to that of Japan's other prefectures
. The headquarters building
is in the ward of Shinjuku
. They govern all of Tokyo prefecture, including lakes, rivers, dams, farms, remote islands, and national parks in addition to its famous neon jungle, skyscrapers and crowded subways. The governor of Tokyo is one of most powerful political figures in Japan, second only to the prime minister
.
Under Japanese law
, Tokyo is designated as a to (都), translated as metropolis
. Within Tokyo lie dozens of smaller entities, most of them conventionally referred to as cities. It includes twenty-three special wards
(特別区 -ku) which until 1943 made up the city of Tokyo
but are now separate, self-governing municipalities, each with a mayor and a council, and having the status of a city. In addition to these 23 municipalities, Tokyo also encompasses 26 cities (市 -shi), five towns (町 -chō or machi), and eight villages (村 -son or -mura), each of which has a local government.
. It consists of 127 members elected each four years. Regular sessions are held four times each year, in February, June, September and December. These sessions typically lasts for 30 days. Between these are plenary sessions where discussions on bills are held.
(April 23, 1999–) is the current governor of Tokyo.
Past governors include:
which lost its seats in the latest election.
Prefectures of Japan
The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...
. The headquarters building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The , also referred to as Tokyo City Hall or Tochō for short, houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs not only the 23 wards, but also the cities, towns and villages that make up Tokyo as a whole....
is in the ward of Shinjuku
Shinjuku, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population...
. They govern all of Tokyo prefecture, including lakes, rivers, dams, farms, remote islands, and national parks in addition to its famous neon jungle, skyscrapers and crowded subways. The governor of Tokyo is one of most powerful political figures in Japan, second only to the prime minister
Prime Minister of Japan
The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
.
Under Japanese law
Japanese law
-Historical Developments:Pre-Modern History The early law of Japan was heavily influenced by Chinese law. Little is known about Japanese law prior to the seventh century, when the Ritsuryō was developed and codified. Before Chinese characters were transplanted and adopted by the Japanese, the...
, Tokyo is designated as a to (都), translated as metropolis
Metropolis
A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
. Within Tokyo lie dozens of smaller entities, most of them conventionally referred to as cities. It includes twenty-three special wards
Special wards of Tokyo
The are 23 municipalities that together make up the core and the most populous part of Tokyo, Japan. Together, they occupy the land that was the city of Tokyo before it was abolished in 1943. The special wards' structure was established under the Japanese Local Autonomy Law and is unique to...
(特別区 -ku) which until 1943 made up the city of Tokyo
Tokyo City
was a municipality in Japan and part of Tokyo-Fu which existed from May 1, 1889 until its merger with its prefecture on July 1, 1943. The historical boundaries of Tokyo City are now occupied by independent special wards...
but are now separate, self-governing municipalities, each with a mayor and a council, and having the status of a city. In addition to these 23 municipalities, Tokyo also encompasses 26 cities (市 -shi), five towns (町 -chō or machi), and eight villages (村 -son or -mura), each of which has a local government.
Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly
The Metropolitan Assembly is the legislative organ of the whole prefecture of TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. It consists of 127 members elected each four years. Regular sessions are held four times each year, in February, June, September and December. These sessions typically lasts for 30 days. Between these are plenary sessions where discussions on bills are held.
Governor
Shintaro IshiharaShintaro Ishihara
is a Japanese author, actor, politician and the governor of Tokyo since 1999.- Early life and artistic career :Shintarō was born in Suma-ku, Kobe. His father Kiyoshi was an employee, later a general manager, of a shipping company. Shintarō grew up in Zushi...
(April 23, 1999–) is the current governor of Tokyo.
Past governors include:
- Yukio AoshimaYukio Aoshimawas a Japanese politician who served as a Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government from 1995 to 1999. He is also well known as a novelist, a film director and a TV-actor.- Early life :...
(1995 – April 23, 1999) - Shunichi Suzuki (1979–1995)
- Ryokichi MinobeRyokichi Minobewas a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Tokyo from 1967 to 1979. He is one of the best known socialist figures in modern Japanese history.-Early life:Minobe was born in Tokyo...
(1967–1979) - Ryotaro Azuma (1959–1967)
- Seiichiro Yasui (1947–1959)
Political Parties & Elections
All major national political parties are represented in the Tokyo Assembly as well as a few local. The only exception to this is the Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party (Japan)
The Social Democratic Party The Social Democratic Party The Social Democratic Party (社会民主党 Shakai Minshu-tō, often abbreviated to 社民党 Shamin-tō; also known as the Social Democratic Party of Japan (abbreviated to SDPJ or SDP in English) is a political party that advocates for the establishment of a...
which lost its seats in the latest election.
Latest election
Tokyo prefecture held elections for the prefectural assembly on 12 July 2009. Next election will be in 2013.Past elections
- Tokyo gubernatorial election, 2007Tokyo gubernatorial election, 2007Tokyo held a gubernatorial election on April 8, 2007 as part of the 16th unified local elections. There were fourteen candidates , among them the incumbent governor Shintaro Ishihara. All candidates ran as independents but some were supported by various parties....
- Tokyo gubernatorial election, 2003
- Tokyo prefectural election, 2001Tokyo prefectural election, 2001Prefectural elections were held in Tokyo for the city's Metropolitan Assembly on June 24, 2001. The Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito Party secured their positions as ruling parties. Japanese Communist Party lost almost half its seats while Democratic Party of Japan saw an increase by ten...