Special ward - Tokubetsuku

The term refers to the wards of Tokyo. There are currently 23 wards. They have legal status and are a type of special local public entity, but are treated as cities. However, in order to ensure metropolitan administration in the metropolis, their city-like powers are somewhat restricted. The number of members of the assembly of a special ward is limited to 56. A metropolitan-ward council is established to facilitate communication and coordination between the metropolis and the special wards, and between the special wards themselves. When the Local Autonomy Law was enacted in 1947, ward mayors were elected by the public, but in 1952 the system was revised to one in which they are selected by the ward assembly with the consent of the metropolitan governor. However, with the revision of the law in 1974, the system was restored to open elections, and measures were taken to strengthen and expand the autonomy of special wards, such as the transfer of administrative duties from the metropolis to the special wards, the establishment of personnel authority for the special wards by abolishing the system of employees assigned to the metropolis, and the strengthening of the finances of the special wards. Wards in ordinance-designated cities are called administrative wards. These merely share the administrative duties of the mayor, and are not independent local governments.

[Yasuhito Abe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

東京都の区をいう。現在23区が置かれている。法人格を有し、特別地方公共団体の一種であるが、市に準ずる扱いを受ける。しかし、都における大都市行政を確保する観点から、市的権能はある程度制限されている。特別区の議会の議員定数は56人を上限とする。都と特別区および特別区相互の連絡調整を図るため都区協議会が置かれる。1947年（昭和22）の地方自治法制定時、区長は公選制であったが、1952年、都知事の同意を得て区議会が選任する制度に改正された。しかし、1974年の改正により、ふたたび公選制に戻り、これとともに、都から特別区への事務委譲、いわゆる都配属職員制度の廃止による特別区の人事権の確立、および特別区の財政の充実など、特別区の自治権の強化・拡充のための措置が講じられた。なお、政令指定都市に置かれる区は行政区という。これは市長の事務執行を分担するにすぎず、独立の自治体ではない。

［阿部泰隆］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例