The United States has 50 States and 1 Federal District. While most Japanese people are aware of the existence of states in the US, the federal district is relatively less known, and some Japanese people may not be familiar with it.
Moreover, many Japanese people tend to think that the states in the US are equivalent to the prefectures in Japan. However, this is a significant misconception. The “states” in the US and the “prefectures” in Japan are entirely different entities, and there are clear reasons for that.
In this article, I will explain the differences between the “States” in the US and the “Prefectures” in Japan, as well as introduce the federal district.
The “States” in the United States and the Formation of States
Japan has 47 Prefectures, and each prefecture holds an equal position within the nation of Japan.
On the other hand, the United States has 50 States and 1 federal district, but the position of states and the federal district is not equal.
Each State in the US has its own independent government and operates under its own constitution. This means that each state in the US can be considered as a separate country within the larger nation of the United States, with the Federal District serving as a unifying entity.
However, this explanation is simplified to make it more understandable for Japanese readers. From an American perspective, I would like to provide an explanation of the position of “States.”
Originally, “States” were meant to be independent nations
In contrast, the term used for “states” in the US is “State.” This term originally carries the meaning of “nation” and is still used in the official names of some countries, such as Papua New Guinea and Samoa.
As mentioned earlier, each state in the US has its own constitution and operates with an independent government. This concept stems from the time when the American colonies, known as the “13 Colonies,” sought independence from Britain. Instead of forming a unified country called “America,” they aimed to remain independent as 13 separate nations, referred to as the “13 States.” They united to fight together against the British.
However, concerns arose that the colonies, if they remained independent nations, would be vulnerable in the international arena. To address this, they formed a loose confederation called the “United States” to engage in foreign diplomacy while maintaining the equal status of each state. The confederation was formalized through the adoption of the United States Constitution, which each state ratified to join the United States of America.
From this historical background, it can be said that the “states” in the US are still a form of independent “nations,” and the United States of America exists because of the presence of these states.
The Construction of the United States Capital and the Establishment of Neutrality
As a loose confederation, the United States needed a capital for conducting foreign affairs, and in 1789, it was established in New York.
However, there were arguments from southern states that the capital should be located in the South. Eventually, the states of Maryland and Virginia ceded land for the construction of the capital, and a federal district that did not belong to any state was designated. The capital of the United States was established there.
During the transition to the new capital, Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, was temporarily designated as the capital from New York. From 1790 to 1800, the Supreme Court was located in the building where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the adjacent building housed the United States Congress, and the President’s House was constructed nearby. This laid the foundation for the current capital.
The construction of the new capital was overseen by the first President, George Washington, and the city’s plan was designed by the French architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who took inspiration from the city of Paris, which had flourishing trade relations with the United States at that time.
The city was built on a small hill east of the Potomac River, known as Jenkins Hill, where the new Capitol building was constructed. From there, a grid of roads was built, radiating east, west, north, and south. The new government building (now known as the White House) was designated to be built northwest of the Capitol, and a straight avenue was constructed to connect the Capitol and the government building. Additionally, radial avenues were extended from the Capitol and the government building, intersecting at circular squares.
During this time, the streets were named after the states that joined the United States, and the avenue connecting the Capitol and the government building was named after Pennsylvania, the state where Philadelphia, which made significant contributions to the establishment of the United States, is located.
Administrative Divisions Equivalent to “Prefectures” in Japan
In the United States, the administrative divisions equivalent to “prefectures” in Japan are called “counties.”
When we hear the term “county” in Japan, it may bring to mind sub-national administrative divisions under prefectures. However, in the US, counties exist beneath states, and municipalities exist beneath counties. So, the position of states in the US is equivalent to that of prefectures in Japan, and counties correspond to sub-national administrative divisions.
For example, the location where the Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, is situated in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. If we were to replace this with Japanese terminology, it would be something like Minato Ward, Tokyo Metropolis.
Regarding Washington, D.C., its official name is the District of Columbia. This is an American-style representation, and in Japanese address format, it would be Columbia District.
Table of District the Difference between Japan and the United States
| Japan | United States | |
| Recognized by the United Nation | Japan | United States of America |
| State | Japan | State |
| District 1 | Prefecture | County |
| District２ | City, District (Town, Village) | City |
“State” Makes the United States Possible
In Japan, as a unified nation, it is difficult to imagine the concept of having separate countries within the nation since there are prefectures under direct national administration. However, in the vast United States, there are 50 independent States and one administrative District.
To be more precise, in addition to these States, there are also separate Territories recognized as independent nations for indigenous peoples. Consequently, there are numerous nations within a single country.
The capital of the United States, which is composed of these nations, is located in a special area that does not belong to any State, ensuring equality among the member States and maintaining neutrality.
Visiting Washington, D.C. means visiting a special place that was constructed for the United States to be recognized as a nation in international affairs.
