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Japan's local government system is in accordance with a provision of the Japanese Constitution in that prefectures and municipalities administer local affairs. For example, municipalities are focused on the operation of public services such as education, social welfare, water and sewage services, while prefectural responsibilities are more comprehensive including affairs which control multiple municipalities. Fukuoka City, on the other hand, is authorized to perform some of the prefectural responsibilities.
 This is because a city with a population of over 500,000 is entitled to greater authority than other municipalities and is designated as such by a government ordinance.
Local public entities have a decision making assembly and a head of an
executive organization. The assembly has a supreme authority to make decisions
on agenda submitted to the assembly for discussion. The head's role is
to execute what has been decided by the assembly through his/her guidance
and supervision over government employees.Assembly members and the head
are both elected, and better governance is ensured through separation of
powers, checks and balances, and cooperation. |
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Election
Citizens 20 years and older have a right to vote in the City Council elections.
Citizens 25 years and older are eligible to run for a council.There are
7 constituencies for the City Council which fall on 7 administrative wards
of the Fukuoka City. Each constituency has a quota.
Petitions and Appeals
Citizens can make their requests about public administration to the City Council. If they go through a city councilor, such an act is called,‘petition’. Otherwise they are allowed to directly appeal to the City Council. Once the petition is filed, a discussion at a council committee will follow. A petition adopted by the committee will be passed to the relevant department including the Mayor and will be put into practice.
Observing a City Council Session
City Council sessions are in principle open to the public. Committee meetings may be observed with a permission from the committee chairperson.
Direct Petition
Citizens, after having obtained a specified number of voter's signatures, may petition for a dissolution of the City Council, or a dismissal of a council member. |
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| In order to ensure that City Council has sufficient authority to perform
its duties as representatives of the people,it is vested with various powers,the
most important of which are given below: |
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Legislative Power
The most fundamental duty of the City Council is to make decisions on important matters such as ordinances and budget.
Elections
Chairperson,Vice Chairperson, and members of the Election Management Committee are elected by the City Council.
Approval
Deputy Mayors and city auditors appointed by the Mayor have to be approved by the City Council.
Inspection and Auditing
The City Council has the power to inspect official documents and request auditing. |
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Investigative Power
The City Council may investigate into city administration, and it may summon related people with investigative matters for testimony, and request for a submission of records when the council deems necessary.
Submission of Opinions in Writing
The City Council may submit its comments in writing which concerns the public interest to the Diet and relevant administrative organs such as national and prefectural governments. |
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City Councilors
Fukuoka City Council is comprised of 62 members.The tenure is 4 years.
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the City Council are elected from among the members of the council.The Chairperson of the City Council represents the City Council and presides over its meetings.The Vice Chairperson of the City Council takes over the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence.
Political Groups
There are seven political groups formed by those who share the same political aspiration in the City Council. |
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| There are two types of meetings the Mayor convenes: ordinary sessions which take place at regular timings and extraordinary session when the necessity arises. Both sessions have to be ended within the predetermined period, during which plenary as well as committee meetings are held for the examination and adoption of proposed agenda. Ordinary meetings are held in February, March, June, September, and December. In principle, the City Council has to reach its conclusion on items on the agenda by the due date. However, if they are unable to do so, they are allowed to convene committee meetings and continue their work. |
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Plenary Assembly
The plenary sessions involve all councilors, and make the final decisions on all items on the agenda.The quorum of the plenary session is more than half of all councilors. A majority of votes is required to pass bills.
Standing Committees
These are 5 standing committees in the City Council. Each City Councilor belongs to one of 5 committees.
Special Committees
When an issue arises which requires special examination or investigation, a special committee is set up. A special committee is also set up for review of initial budgets and financial closing.
City Council Management Committee
This committee is convened to discuss matters relating to the order of the agenda and procedure of meetings to ensure smooth management of the City Council.The committee consists of 13 councilors.
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CITY COUNCIL SECRETARIAT
A secretariat has been established in order to help the chairperson and councilors in their activities.
The secretariat is comprised of the General Affairs Section, Procedure Section and Research & Legal Affairs Section. They are in charge of paperwork and investigation for the plenary and committee meetings. |
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