What is a prefecture in the context of Japan?

The prefectures of Japan are the country’s 47 sub-national jurisdictions: one “metropolis”, Tokyo; one “circuit”, Hokkaido; two urban prefectures, Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures. In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as todofuken. Prefectures are governmental bodies larger than cities, towns, and villages. Under the law, each prefecture is subdivided into cities and districts.