Districts of Japan

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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

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

Administrative divisions of Japan
National

Sub-national
Local

References

  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.