| Type of municipalities | Requirements for designation | Main affairs | ||
| Ordinance- designated cities | Designated by government ordinance from among cities with a population of 500,000 or more. | 1. Affairs related to city planning 1.1 Permission for development activities within an Urbanization Promotion Area or Urbanization Control Area 2. Affairs related to environmental preservation 2.1 Acceptance of notification of establishment of general dust-generating facilities 2.2 Acceptance of notification of establishment of specified facilities that discharge sewage or liquid waste 3. Other 3.1 Recommendations and periodic inspections based on the Measurement Law | 1. Affairs related to city planning 1.2 Restrictions on the installation of outdoor advertisements by ordinance 2. Affairs related to environmental preservation 2.3 Permission to install general waste disposal facilities and industrial waste disposal facilities 2.4 Acceptance of notification of installation of soot and smoke-generating facilities 4. Affairs related to welfare 4.1 Approval and supervision of establishment of nursery schools 4.2 Approval and supervision of the establishment of special nursing homes for the elderly 4.3 Designation of nursing care service providers 5. Affairs related to education 5.1 Training of prefectural-funded teachers and staff 6. Affairs related to health and sanitation 6.1 Establishment of public health center 6.2 Licensing of the restaurant business 6.3 Permission to operate inns and public bathhouses | 1. Affairs related to city planning 1.3 City planning decisions regarding zoning, etc. 1.4 Management of national and prefectural roads outside the designated area 1.5 Management of first-class rivers (in part) and second-class rivers (in part) in designated areas 4. Affairs related to welfare 4.4 Establishment of Child Guidance Centers 5. Affairs related to education 5.2 Class formation of elementary and junior high schools, etc., determination of the number of teachers and staff, appointment and dismissal, and salary burden |
| Core cities | Designated by government ordinance upon request of a city with a population of 200,000 or more |
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| Special case cities | Designated by government ordinance upon request of a city with a population of 200,000 or more | Affairs of the prefectural government | ||
| Others |
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