Government

The metropolitan government of Tokyo administers the 23 wards of the city and also several nearby cities, counties, and islands. The chief executive is the governor, elected for a four-year term. He is assisted by several administrative commissions, either appointed by him with the approval of the city legislature or elected by the legislature. Members of the legislature, the Metropolitan Assembly, are elected for four-year terms. The president of the legislature is equal in status to the governor. The local governments of the wards and other units have a large degree of independent authority.