1.
special ward
A type of municipality with city-level powers; in practice refers to Tokyo's 23 wards, each with its own mayor and assembly.
東京には二十三の特別区がある。
Tokyo has 23 special wards.
特別区は市とほぼ同じ権限を持つ。
Special wards have powers almost the same as cities.
大阪でも特別区を設置するかどうかが議論された。
Whether to set up special wards was also debated in Osaka.
Legally a 特別地方公共団体 (special local public body). Unlike the ordinary 区 of designated cities, a special ward elects its own mayor and assembly.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 東京の特別区: the special wards of Tokyo
- 特別区を設置する: to establish a special ward
- 特別区民: residents of a special ward