WEBJapan is divided into 47 prefectures (都道府県, todōfuken, [todoːɸɯ̥ꜜkeɴ] ⓘ), which rank immediately below the national government and form the country's first level of jurisdiction and administrative division.
WEBPrefectures of Japan (都道府県, todōfuken) are one of the basic local entities of Japan. They are the 47 subdivisions of the country. Prefectures are the governmental bodies of Japan which are larger than cities, towns, and villages.