Politics of Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (東京都庁^?, Tōkyōto-chō) is the government of the Tokyo Metropolis, one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. The government consists of a popularly elected governor and assembly. The headquarters building is located in the ward of Shinjuku. The metropolitan government administers the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo (each governed as an individual city), as well as the other cities and towns that constitute the prefecture. With a population of more than 13 million living within its boundaries, and many more commuting from neighbouring prefectures, the metropolitan government wields significant political power within Japan.

Under Japanese law, Tokyo is designated as a to (), translated as metropolis. Within Tokyo lie dozens of smaller entities, including twenty-three special wards (特別 -ku) which until 1943 made up the city of Tokyo but which now have individual local governments, each with a leader and a council. In addition to these 23 local governments, Tokyo also encompasses 26 cities ( -shi), five towns ( -chō or machi), and eight villages ( -son or -mura), each of which has a local government. These other municipalities are located in the western part of the prefecture, as well as the outlying island chains of Izu and Ogasawara.

The Metropolitan Assembly is the legislative organ of the whole prefecture of Tokyo. It consists of 127 members elected each four years. Regular sessions are held four times each year, in February, June, September and December. These sessions typically lasts for 30 days. Between these are plenary sessions where discussions on bills are held.

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