What responsibilities do local governments in Japan have?

Under the 1947 constitution, local governments in Japan operate on the principle of autonomy, with significant powers vested in elected local assemblies and chief executive officers. These governing bodies are responsible for a wide range of public services and administrative duties, including:1

• Social and Public Services: Local authorities manage matters related to health, education, and social welfare. In major cities, municipal agencies provide protective social care and discretionary income support, often cooperating with voluntary organizations like the Minsei-iin.12
• Infrastructure and Environment: Local governments oversee land preservation and development, disaster prevention, and pollution control.1
• Public Works and Finance: To fund large-scale public works programs, local entities—including prefectures, cities, towns, and villages—frequently issue bonds, a practice that has historically resulted in significant local indebtedness.3

The administrative structure is divided into 47 prefectures, which are further subdivided into minor civil divisions such as cities (shi), towns (machi or chō), and villages (mura or son). Each of these units maintains its own assembly and leadership to manage these local responsibilities.1