Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly
The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly (東京都議会 Tōkyō-to gikai) is the prefectural parliament of Tokyo.
Its 127 members are elected every four years in 42 districts by single non-transferable vote. 23 electoral districts equal the Special wards of Tokyo, another 18 districts are made up by the cities, towns and villages in the Western part of the prefecture, one district consists of the outlying islands (Ogasawara and Izu Islands).
The assembly is responsible for enacting and amending prefectural ordinances, approving the budget (5.7 billion yen in fiscal 2007) and voting on important administrative appointments made by the governor including the vice governor.
Due to the special nature of the Tokyo metropolis compared to other prefectures the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly has certain powers that would usually fall into the responsibilities of municipal parliaments. This is to ensure efficient and unified urban administration for the 23 special wards that cover the former city of Tokyo and comprise the urban core of the Greater Tokyo Area.
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[edit] Current composition
The Tokyo prefectural election, 2009 took place on July 12, 2009. As of July 2, 2010 the assembly was composed as follows:[1]
| Composition of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly | |
|---|---|
| Parties | Seats |
| Democratic Party of Japan | 52 |
| Liberal Democratic Party of Japan | 38 |
| New Komeito | 23 |
| Japanese Communist Party | 8 |
| Tokyo Seikatsusha Network | 3 |
| Independents (Jichi shimin '93: 1; Togikai Nippon Sōshintō: 1) |
2 |
| Total (1 vacant seat) | 126 |
