Governor - Chiji

The head of the executive body of a prefecture. It is directly elected by the residents (voters) of that prefecture (Article 93 of the Constitution, Article 17 of the Local Autonomy Law). Under the old system under the Meiji Constitution, the Governor of Tokyo, the Governor of Hokkaido, and the governors of prefectures were national officials appointed by the Emperor. The current governor system is fundamentally different from the old system under the Meiji Constitution, in which the local autonomy system was given the institutional guarantee that forms the basis of democracy under the Constitution of Japan. Japanese nationals over the age of 30 are eligible to be elected as governors, except in cases where they fall under certain disqualifications (Articles 10 and 11 of the Public Offices Election Law, Article 19, Clause 2 of the Local Autonomy Law). The term of office is four years (Article 140 of the Local Autonomy Law), and they cannot be members of the House of Representatives or House of Councilors, members of local assemblies, or full-time employees of local public entities (Article 141 of the Local Autonomy Law), and they cannot hold positions such as executives of private companies that have a certain relationship with the local public entity (Article 142 of the Local Autonomy Law). A prefectural governor may lose his/her office if certain circumstances arise (Article 143 of the said Act), or if the local residents request his/her dismissal (Article 81 et seq.), or if the assembly passes a vote of no confidence (Article 178 of the said Act). The prefectural governor is the executive body that governs and represents the prefecture (Article 147 of the said Act), and manages and executes the affairs of the prefecture (Article 148 of the said Act). The prefectural governor may enact rules for affairs that fall under his/her jurisdiction (Articles 148 and 149 of the said Act), provided such rules do not violate laws and regulations (Article 15 of the said Act). In addition, the prefectural governor has the power to appoint and dismiss officials (Article 172, paragraph 2 of the said Act), the power to command and supervise officials (Article 154 of the said Act), the power to revoke or suspend illegal actions taken by administrative agencies under his/her jurisdiction (Article 154-2 of the said Act), and the power to establish and organize administrative organizations (Articles 155, 156, and 158 of the said Act).

[Toshiro Fuka and Kengo Yamada]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

都道府県の長たる執行機関。その都道府県内の住民（選挙人）により直接選挙される（憲法93条、地方自治法17条）。明治憲法下の旧制度において、東京都長官・北海道庁長官・府県知事が、天皇の勅任する国の官吏であったのとは根本的に異なり、現行の知事制度は、地方自治制度が日本国憲法の下で民主主義の基礎をなす制度的保障を与えられたことと対応している。日本国民で年齢満30歳以上の者は、一定の欠格事項に該当する場合を除き、知事の被選挙権をもつ（公職選挙法10条・11条、地方自治法19条2項）。その任期は4年であり（地方自治法140条）、衆議院議員または参議院議員、地方議会の議員、および地方公共団体の常勤の職員と兼ねることができず（同法141条）、また、当該地方公共団体と一定の関係にある私企業役員などの職につくことができない（同法142条）。知事は、一定の事由に該当すると失職するほか（同法143条）、住民の解職請求（リコール。同法81条以下）、議会の不信任議決などによって失職することがある（同法178条）。知事は、都道府県を統轄し代表する執行機関であり（同法147条）、都道府県の事務を管理執行する（同法148条）。知事はその権限に属する事務について（同法148条・149条）、法令に違反しない限りにおいて、規則を制定することができる（同法15条）ほか、職員の任免権（同法172条2項）、職員に対する指揮監督権（同法154条）、知事が管理する行政庁の処分が違法である場合の取消・停止権（同法154条の2）、事務組織を設置編成する権限（同法155条・156条・158条）などを有する。

［福家俊朗・山田健吾］

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