Japan's administrative divisions are classified into the first-level administrative units known as prefectures, a system that began with the abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures policy implemented by the Meiji government in 1871.
Today, Japan consists of 47 prefectures, including 1 metropolis (Tokyo), 1 circuit (Hokkaido), 2 urban prefectures (Osaka and Kyoto), and 43 rural prefectures.
Nationwide, there are 792 cities, and including Tokyo, there are a total of 793 cities.
The second level of administrative divisions includes cities, towns, and villages.
Throughout Japan, there are 1,718 cities, towns, and villages, consisting of 792 cities, 743 towns, 183 villages, and 23 special wards (in the Tokyo Metropolis).
All cities, towns, villages, and special wards belong to one of the 47 prefectures, operating under a two-tier local administration system.
In Japan, there are only 12 cities with populations exceeding 1 million, primarily concentrated in three major metropolitan areas:
Tokyo, Kansai, and Nagoya. The largest city is the 23 wards of Tokyo, with a total population of 9.73 million.
Although we often refer to "Tokyo City," this administrative term does not exist; Tokyo Metropolis includes multiple cities and wards.
The second largest city is Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a population of about 3.78 million.
The third largest city is Osaka in Osaka Prefecture, with a population of 2.75 million.
Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture also has a population exceeding 2 million, reaching 2.33 million.
Population Distribution:
- Cities with populations between 500,000 and 1 million: 16
- Cities with populations in the 400,000 range: 19
- Cities with populations in the 300,000 range: 26
- Cities with populations in the 200,000 range: 37
- Cities with populations in the 100,000 range: 152
- Cities with populations under 100,000: 531
Among these, Hokkaido has the most cities with populations under 100,000, with a total of 26.
Smallest City: Utashinai in Hokkaido
Utashinai is located in central Hokkaido, situated in the Yubari Mountains, with approximately 75% of its land covered by forests.
The city center is located in the river valley along the upper reaches of the Utashinai River.
Once flourishing due to coal mining, the population peaked at 46,000 in 1948.
However, following the decline of the coal industry, the population drastically decreased, currently numbering less than three thousand, making it the smallest city in Japan by population.
Yubari: Past Prosperity and Current Situation
Yubari is also located in central Hokkaido and has recently become famous for producing Yubari melons.
Situated at the southern end of the Yubari Mountains, the main city area lies in the western valleys and along the southern Yubari River.
The city once thrived due to the Ishikari coal mine, with the population peaking at 116,000 in 1960.
However, with the decline of the coal industry, the population gradually decreased, making it the second smallest city in Japan by population.
Yubari faces significant financial burdens due to the shrinking coal industry.
Since the 1980s, the city government has faced financial issues, ultimately being designated as a "Financial Reconstruction Body" by the Japanese government in 2007.
To revitalize the local economy, the city government has promoted Yubari melons, introduced flower farms, and hosted the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival to attract tourists.
The city development master plan implemented in 2015 aims to concentrate the population in the city center and streamline administrative services.
The scale of Japanese cities is comparable to the scale of townships in China.
Prefectures in Japan are similar to counties in China, while cities are the product of industrial and commercial development leading to urbanization.
Initially, China also established cities separate from counties, with counties surrounding cities, but gradually expanded the power of cities to also manage counties.
Analyzing Japan's administrative divisions and population distribution, we can see the varying sizes and population densities of Japanese cities, reflecting its complex historical background and modern development trends.
Whether in major metropolitan areas or small cities, each place has its unique cultural and economic characteristics, forming a diverse and vibrant Japanese society.
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