Local Self-Government

Under the Meiji Constitution, there were no explicit constitutional provisions concerning local self-government, and the local administrative system was left to be regulated by laws and ordinances. A centralized system of administrative governance was established under the authority of the national government, with prefectural governors appointed by the central government rather than elected. By contrast, the Constitution of Japan established Chapter VIII, “Local Self-Government,” guaranteeing the “principle of local autonomy” based on resident autonomy and organizational autonomy, and positioning local self-government as a foundation of democratization. It further provided for the direct election of the heads of local public entities and members of their assemblies, the authority to enact ordinances within the scope of law, and provisions concerning referendums.