1.
ward, district, borough
An administrative division of a city.
〜区 is a suffix indicating a ward or administrative district within a city.
TOKYO'S 23 WARDS:
Tokyo has 23 特別区 (special wards), which function similarly to cities. Examples:
- 渋谷区: Shibuya Ward
- 新宿区: Shinjuku Ward
- 港区: Minato Ward
OTHER CITIES:
Major cities like 大阪, 横浜, 名古屋, and 札幌 also have wards (called 行政区).
ADMINISTRATIVE HIERARCHY:
- 都道府県: prefecture
- 市: city
- 区: ward
- 町: town
- 村: village
NOTE:
区役所 is the ward office where residents handle registration, taxes, and other administrative tasks.