Districts of Japan

Districts of Japan (郡#日本の郡) were areas of traditional local government in Japan before the Meiji period.^[1] The function of districts has changed over time, but they continue to exist in contemporary Japan.^[2]

Districts are not all the same size. They are roughly equivalent to a county in the United Kingdom or the United States. They are smaller than prefectures and larger than towns and villages.

History[change | change source]

Districts were established in the 8th century.

Until the 10th century, the chief government official of a district (gun) was called the gunji. ^[1] During the Edo period, the head of a district (gun) was called the gundai.^[3]

Between 1878 and 1921, the Meiji period and Taishō period, districts were given specific powers and responsibilities which are now diffused.

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Gun" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 267.
↑ Statoids, Japan Counties retrieved 2012-3-24.
↑ Nussbaum, "Gundai" at p. 267.

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[nussbaum-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Gun" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 267.

[2] Statoids, Japan Counties retrieved 2012-3-24.

[3] Nussbaum, "Gundai" at p. 267.

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Administrative divisions of Japan
National

Sub-national
Prefectures Subprefectures Districts
Local
Designated cities Core cities Special cities Cities Special wards (Tokyo) Towns Villages Wards
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