# Special ward (特別区, とくべつく)

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/special-ward. Every law, and how to address a provision: https://japanlaw.org/llms.txt. The same laws as MCP tools (no sign-in): https://japanlaw.org/mcp.

- Group: Institutions, offices and documents
- URL: https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/special-ward
- In Japanese: https://japanlaw.org/ja/concepts/special-ward
- Written by: claude-opus-5-5, 2026-09-29

A ward (区) of a metropolis (都) (Local Autonomy Act, Article 281, paragraph (1)). Today the only special wards are the 23 wards of Tokyo. A special ward is a basic local government in its own right: it does, in general, the work a city, town or village (市町村) does elsewhere, apart from what the metropolis does across all the wards as one (Article 281-2, paragraph (2)). Where a law or order gives a city (市) work to do, its provisions on that work also apply to a special ward, for the work the ward does (Article 281, paragraph (2), and Article 283, paragraph (2)); a Cabinet Order (政令) can make special rules where they cannot apply as they stand (Article 283, paragraph (3)).

Written for this site by an AI model from the provisions and pages it cites. Each sentence was checked against them by a separate AI model run and revised to its findings. Not reviewed by a lawyer.

## Provisions and sources it draws on

- [Local Autonomy Act, Arts. 281, 281-2, 283](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/322AC0000000067)

## Where the laws use it

38 laws in force use it in this sense, in 159 provisions; there the word opens this explanation.

- [Local Tax Act (地方税法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act): 40 provisions, among them [Article 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act/art-1), [Article 25](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act/art-25), [Article 37-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/local-tax-act/art-37-2)
- [Medical Care Act (医療法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/medical-care-act): 14 provisions, among them [Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/medical-care-act/art-5), [Article 6-8](https://japanlaw.org/en/medical-care-act/art-6-8), [Article 6-9](https://japanlaw.org/en/medical-care-act/art-6-9)
- [National Health Insurance Act (国民健康保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-health-insurance-act): 13 provisions, among them [Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-health-insurance-act/art-3), [Article 17](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-health-insurance-act/art-17), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-health-insurance-act/suppl-3381-62/art-2)
- [Long-Term Care Insurance Act (介護保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/long-term-care-insurance-act): 10 provisions, among them [Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/long-term-care-insurance-act/art-3), [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/long-term-care-insurance-act/art-7), [Article 9](https://japanlaw.org/en/long-term-care-insurance-act/art-9)
- [Residential Basic Book Act (住民基本台帳法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/residential-basic-book-act): 9 provisions, among them [Article 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/residential-basic-book-act/art-1), [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/residential-basic-book-act/art-2), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/residential-basic-book-act/suppl-4111-133/art-2)
- [Act on Special Measures Concerning Taxation (租税特別措置法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-taxation-measures-act): 8 provisions, among them [Article 28-4](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-taxation-measures-act/art-28-4), [Article 34-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-taxation-measures-act/art-34-2), [Article 41](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-taxation-measures-act/art-41)
- [Child Allowance Act (児童手当法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/child-allowance-act): 7 provisions, among them [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/child-allowance-act/art-7), [Article 17](https://japanlaw.org/en/child-allowance-act/art-17), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 19](https://japanlaw.org/en/child-allowance-act/suppl-3591-71/art-19)
- [Health Insurance Act (健康保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/health-insurance-act): 6 provisions, among them [Article 152-3](https://japanlaw.org/en/health-insurance-act/art-152-3), [Article 180](https://japanlaw.org/en/health-insurance-act/art-180), [Article 196](https://japanlaw.org/en/health-insurance-act/art-196)
- [Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (出入国管理及び難民認定法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act): 4 provisions, among them [Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act/art-5), [Article 19-7](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act/art-19-7), [Supplementary Provisions](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act/suppl-4131-136)
- [Hotel Business Act (旅館業法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/hotel-business-act): 4 provisions, among them [Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/hotel-business-act/art-3), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 19](https://japanlaw.org/en/hotel-business-act/suppl-4231-105/art-19), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/hotel-business-act/suppl-4291-84/art-5)
- [Act on Assurance of Medical Care for Elderly People (高齢者の医療の確保に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-medical-care-act): 4 provisions, among them [Article 4](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-medical-care-act/art-4), [Article 136](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-medical-care-act/art-136), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-medical-care-act/suppl-4061-84/art-1)
- [National Pension Act (国民年金法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-pension-act): 3 provisions, among them [Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-pension-act/art-3), [Article 86](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-pension-act/art-86), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 10](https://japanlaw.org/en/national-pension-act/suppl-4061-95/art-10)
- [Family Register Act (戸籍法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/family-register-act): 3 provisions, among them [Article 4](https://japanlaw.org/en/family-register-act/art-4), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/family-register-act/suppl-5011-17/art-3), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 9](https://japanlaw.org/en/family-register-act/suppl-5051-48/art-9)
- [Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則)](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act-enforcement-regulation): 2 provisions, among them [Article 5](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act-enforcement-regulation/art-5), [Article 12](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act-enforcement-regulation/art-12)
- [Employees' Pension Insurance Act (厚生年金保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/employees-pension-insurance-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 86](https://japanlaw.org/en/employees-pension-insurance-act/art-86), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 23-5](https://japanlaw.org/en/employees-pension-insurance-act/suppl-3291-115/art-23-5)
- [Regulation for Enforcement of the Special Act on the Immigration Control of Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan (日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法施行規則)](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-act-on-immigration-control-enforcement-regulation): 2 provisions, among them [Article 13](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-act-on-immigration-control-enforcement-regulation/art-13), [Article 19](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-act-on-immigration-control-enforcement-regulation/art-19)
- [Civil Enforcement Act (民事執行法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/civil-enforcement-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 57](https://japanlaw.org/en/civil-enforcement-act/art-57), [Article 167-17](https://japanlaw.org/en/civil-enforcement-act/art-167-17)
- [Public Assistance Act (生活保護法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/public-assistance-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 80-4](https://japanlaw.org/en/public-assistance-act/art-80-4), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/public-assistance-act/suppl-4181-20/art-2)
- [Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures (行政手続における特定の個人を識別するための番号の利用等に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/my-number-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 7](https://japanlaw.org/en/my-number-act/art-7), [Appended Table 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/my-number-act/appdx-1)
- [Road Traffic Act (道路交通法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-traffic-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 75-13](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-traffic-act/art-75-13), [Supplementary Provisions, Article 16](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-traffic-act/suppl-3351-105/art-16)
- [Road Transport Vehicle Act (道路運送車両法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-transport-vehicle-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 34](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-transport-vehicle-act/art-34), [Article 105-2](https://japanlaw.org/en/road-transport-vehicle-act/art-105-2)
- [Employment Insurance Act (雇用保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/employment-insurance-act): 2 provisions, among them [Article 43](https://japanlaw.org/en/employment-insurance-act/art-43), [Article 75](https://japanlaw.org/en/employment-insurance-act/art-75)
- [Companies Act (会社法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 21](https://japanlaw.org/en/companies-act/art-21)
- [Private Lodging Business Act (住宅宿泊事業法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/private-lodging-business-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 3](https://japanlaw.org/en/private-lodging-business-act/art-3)
- [Ministerial Order to Provide for the Method of Notification Prescribed in Article 30-20 of the Order for the Enforcement of the Residential Basic Book Act and Article 24, Paragraph (3) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Enforcement Order (住民基本台帳法施行令第三十条の二十及び出入国管理及び難民認定法施行令第二十四条第三項に規定する通知の方法を定める省令)](https://japanlaw.org/en/resident-registry-immigration-notification-ordinance): 1 provision, among them [Article 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/resident-registry-immigration-notification-ordinance/art-1)
- [Ministerial Order on the Arrangement of Ministerial Orders Related to the Ministry of Justice and on Transitional Measures upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan, and Other Matters (出入国管理及び難民認定法及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法の一部を改正する等の法律の施行に伴う法務省関係省令の整備及び経過措置に関する省令)](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-2009-amendment-transitional-ordinance): 1 provision, among them [Article 17](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-2009-amendment-transitional-ordinance/art-17)
- [Cabinet Order on the Arrangement of Related Cabinet Orders and on Transitional Measures upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan, and Other Matters (出入国管理及び難民認定法及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法の一部を改正する等の法律の施行に伴う関係政令の整備及び経過措置に関する政令)](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-2009-amendment-transitional-order): 1 provision, among them [Article 16](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-2009-amendment-transitional-order/art-16)
- [Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Enforcement Order (出入国管理及び難民認定法施行令)](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act-enforcement-order): 1 provision, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-act-enforcement-order/art-2)
- [Ministerial Order to Provide for the Method of Relay, etc. Prescribed in Article 2, etc. of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Enforcement Order (出入国管理及び難民認定法施行令第二条等に規定する伝達の方法等を定める省令)](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-order-transmission-ordinance): 1 provision, among them [Article 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/immigration-control-order-transmission-ordinance/art-1)
- [Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act (労働者災害補償保険法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/industrial-accident-insurance-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 45](https://japanlaw.org/en/industrial-accident-insurance-act/art-45)
- [Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, those who have lost Japanese Nationality pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan (日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-act-on-immigration-control): 1 provision, among them [Article 4](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-act-on-immigration-control/art-4)
- [Order for Enforcement of the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan (日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法施行令)](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-act-on-immigration-control-enforcement-order): 1 provision, among them [Article 1](https://japanlaw.org/en/special-act-on-immigration-control-enforcement-order/art-1)
- [Corporation Tax Act (法人税法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/corporation-tax-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/corporation-tax-act/art-2)
- [Hot Spring Act (温泉法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/hot-spring-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 36](https://japanlaw.org/en/hot-spring-act/art-36)
- [Rules on Applications for the Issuance of Specified Residence Cards (特定在留カードの交付の申請に関する規則)](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-residence-card-application-rules): 1 provision, among them [Article 2](https://japanlaw.org/en/specified-residence-card-application-rules/art-2)
- [Administrative Complaint Review Act (行政不服審査法)](https://japanlaw.org/en/administrative-complaint-review-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 38](https://japanlaw.org/en/administrative-complaint-review-act/art-38)
- [Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims (配偶者からの暴力の防止及び被害者の保護等に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/spousal-violence-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 2-3](https://japanlaw.org/en/spousal-violence-act/art-2-3)
- [Act on Employment Security of Elderly Persons (高年齢者等の雇用の安定等に関する法律)](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-employment-act): 1 provision, among them [Article 37](https://japanlaw.org/en/elderly-employment-act/art-37)

## Related

- [Cabinet Order (政令, せいれい)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/cabinet-order)
- [Health center (保健所, ほけんじょ)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/health-center)
- [Family register (戸籍, こせき)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/family-register)
- [Prefectural or Municipal Ordinance (条例, じょうれい)](https://japanlaw.org/en/concepts/local-ordinance)

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## Sources

- Explanation: Written for this site with AI (claude-opus-5-5, 2026-09-29)
- Where it is used, and how often: Worked out by this site from e-Gov's text
- English names of the laws: Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice (33 records)
- English names of the laws: Written for this site with AI