In the past, an important job of prefectural governors was lodging petitions with the central government to get funds and projects for their prefectures. But the nation's 47 governors seem to have become aware of the political potential they can exert if they act in concert. People like Gov. Toru Hashimoto of Osaka and Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru of Miyazaki, who command big media coverage, seem to be a driving force.

At a meeting held July 14 and 15 in Ise, Mie Prefecture, the National Governors' Association decided to grade the manifestos — or detailed election platforms — of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito on eight issues related to local autonomy.

Although the association dropped a call by the Osaka and Miyazaki governors for the body to declare which party it supports in the coming general election, the mere grading of the manifestos will have some political impact.

Out of 100 points, up to 30 points will be allocated to the issue of setting up a legally backed venue for consultations between the central and local governments and up to 10 points each to seven issues, including commitment to a 50-50 division of tax revenues between the central and local governments and abolition or reduction of regional bureaus of the central ministries.

As for the current requirement that local governments concerned shoulder a certain portion of the costs of public works projects carried out by the central governments under national plans — such as construction of major highways and river improvements covering more than one prefecture — the governors decided not to pay for the construction of office buildings and the retirement allowances for the central government workers concerned, starting in fiscal 2009.

They also decided to set up a strategy council, composed of about 10 governors, to help the head of the association, Gov. Wataru Aso of Fukuoka Prefecture.

With these moves, the association is turning into an organization with political power. But the governors should realize that their determination to promote local autonomy will be tested.