本文最主要的目的乃是以行政及法律的觀點，檢驗日本憲法所規定的的地方政府運作的理論與實際，以及介紹1990年代所進行的地方行政之改革。首先將要敘述的是，地方政府如何受著憲法之保障。其次將要分析的是，為何地方自治無法如同憲法所規定般的運作。第三乃是介紹為了達到真正自治之目的而在1990年代所進行的地方行政之改革。

The purpose of this paper is to examine the theory and practice of the constitutionally prescribed function of local governments, and introduce the 1990s 'reform of local administration in Japan from the viewpoints of administration and law. We will first describe how local government has been guaranteed under the Constitution. Second, we will analyze why local self-government has not worked out precisely as the Constitution had designed. Third, we will introduce the 1990s 'reform of local administration in order to achieve genuine autonomy.