Special cities of Japan

Special cities (特例市), also known as Special Case cities, is a defined class or category of Japanese cities. It is a local administrative division created by the national government. All special cities have a population greater than 200,000.

History
The special or special case cities were created because of the Local Autonomy Law of Japan. Each city does many of the things normally done by prefectures.

List
Special cities were recognized starting in 2000. There are 40+ of these cities, including
 * This list is not finished; you can help Wikipedia by adding to it.


 * Akashi, 2002
 * Atsugi, 2002
 * Chigasaki, 2003
 * Fuji, 2001
 * Fukui, 2000
 * Hachinohe, 2001
 * Hirakata, 2001
 * Hiratsuka, 2001
 * Ibaraki, 2001
 * Ichinomiya, 2001
 * Isesaki, 2007
 * Jōetsu, 2007
 * Kakogawa, 2002
 * Kasugai, 2002
 * Kasukabe, 2008
 * Kawaguchi, 2001
 * Kishiwada, 2002
 * Kōfu, 2000
 * Koshigaya, 2003
 * Kumagaya, 2009
 * Kure, 2000
 * Matsue, 2012
 * Matsumoto, 2000
 * Mito, 2001
 * Nagaoka, 2007
 * Neyagawa, 2001
 * Numazu, 2000
 * Odawara, 2000
 * Ōta, 2007
 * Sasebo, 2001
 * Sōka, 2004
 * Suita, 2001
 * Takarazuka, 2003
 * Tokorozawa, 2002
 * Tottori, 2005
 * Toyonaka, 2001
 * Tsukuba, 2007
 * Yamagata, 2001
 * Yamato, 2000
 * Yao, 2001
 * Yokkaichi, 2000

Related pages

 * Administrative division
 * Urban area
 * Municipalities in Japan

Other websites

 * "Large City System of Japan"; graphic shows special cities in context [PDF 7 of 40 ]