A round of local elections will take place next month in Japan, with the issues of autonomy and decentralization setting the tone. Campaigning for gubernatorial elections, including the one in Tokyo, will kick off today. A total of more than 2,370 elections, including mayoral and prefectural assembly elections, will be held on April 13 and 27.

These are the first unified local elections since the turn of the century. Three years ago, the Diet passed legislation aimed at establishing a more balanced and cooperative relationship between the central and local governments. The law has since prompted an array of local measures to bolster autonomy, such as the issuance of eco-friendly ordinances and levies of new types of tax.

Many diverse issues are at stake in the coming elections. A municipal merger is one. The main idea is to improve administrative efficiency by combining neighboring cities, towns and villages. It remains to be seen, however, whether such integration will bring the hoped-for benefits of decentralization. Residents are divided on this issue.