Since the Democratic Party of Japan came to power in September 2009, the word "chiho bunken" (devolution) has been replaced by the new expression "chiiki shuken" (local sovereignty).
The government on Nov. 17 that year created the "Local Sovereignty Strategy Council" chaired by the prime minister within the Cabinet Office. Although it is unclear what specific subjects are being debated by that council, there is no doubt that the DPJ is placing much emphasis on the promotion of local autonomy.
"Devolution," which is an antonym of a centralized form of government, means delegating to local governments some of the power and authority now heavily concentrated in the central government ministries and agencies, which are often referred to as "Kasumigaseki" after the name of a central part of Tokyo where most of them are headquartered.