Japan’s regional divisions include the 8-Region System, the 7-Region System, the 2-Region System, and other methods, and they are used differently depending on the application or purpose.
The 8-Region System is the most representative regional division and is widely used in school textbooks and on television. It divides Japan into eight regions: Hokkaido Region “北海道地方”, Tohoku Region “東北地方”, Kanto Region “関東地方”, Chubu Region “中部地方”, Kinki Region “近畿地方”, Chugoku Region “中国地方”, Shikoku Region “四国地方”, and Kyushu Region “九州地方”.
The 7-Region System is a regional division in which Chugoku Region “中国地方” and Shikoku Region “四国地方” from the 8-Region System are combined into one, and it is often used in administrative and statistical materials.
Furthermore, there is also the 2-Region System, which broadly divides Japan into Eastern Japan “東日本” and Western Japan “西日本”.
In weather forecasts, there are also classifications that are even more detailed than these, such as the 10-Region System and the 11-Region System. A characteristic of Japan’s regional divisions is that the classification method differs depending on the purpose.
There is no clear legal definition, and they are used differently depending on the application or purpose.
8-Region System
The 8-Region System is a representative method of dividing Japan into the following eight regions: Hokkaido Region “北海道地方”, Tohoku Region “東北地方”, Kanto Region “関東地方”, Chubu Region “中部地方”, Kinki Region “近畿地方”, Chugoku Region “中国地方”, Shikoku Region “四国地方”, and Kyushu Region “九州地方”.
This division is standardly used in school textbooks and television programs and is a familiar classification for many people.
Each region has its own characteristics in climate, culture, and industry, and it is widely accepted as a division that makes it easy to understand the characteristics of each region.
Map of Japan
Region
| Region | Kanji | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hokkaido | 北海道地方 | ほっかいどうちほう |
| 2. Tohoku | 東北地方 | とうほくちほう |
| 3. Kanto | 関東地方 | かんとうちほう |
| 4. Chubu | 中部地方 | ちゅうぶちほう |
| 5. Kinki | 近畿地方 | きんきちほう |
| 6. Chugoku | 中国地方 | ちゅうごくちほう |
| 7. Shikoku | 四国地方 | しこくちほう |
| 8. Kyushu | 九州地方 | きゅうしゅうちほう |
7-Region System
The 7-Region System is a method of regional division in which Chugoku Region “中国地方” and Shikoku Region “四国地方” from the 8-Region System are combined into one and Japan is divided into seven regions.
This division is often used in administration and economic statistics, and by viewing the framework of the regions in a slightly larger way, it can be handled more efficiently.
Since Chugoku Region “中国地方” and Shikoku Region “四国地方” are geographically close, combining them makes it easier to understand their wide-area characteristics.
Map of Japan
Region
| Region | Kanji | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hokkaido | 北海道地方 | ほっかいどうちほう |
| 2. Tohoku | 東北地方 | とうほくちほう |
| 3. Kanto | 関東地方 | かんとうちほう |
| 4. Chubu | 中部地方 | ちゅうぶちほう |
| 5. Kinki | 近畿地方 | きんきちほう |
| 6. Chugoku-Shikoku | 中国・四国地方 | ちゅうごく・しこくちほう |
| 7. Kyushu | 九州地方 | きゅうしゅうちほう |
2-Region System
The 2-Region System is a method that broadly divides Japan into Eastern Japan “東日本” and Western Japan “西日本”.
The eight regions from the 8-Region System are classified as follows: Hokkaido Region “北海道地方”, Tohoku Region “東北地方”, Kanto Region “関東地方”, and Chubu Region “中部地方” belong to Eastern Japan “東日本”, while Kinki Region “近畿地方”, Chugoku Region “中国地方”, Shikoku Region “四国地方”, and Kyushu Region “九州地方” belong to Western Japan “西日本”.
The 2-Region System is used to broadly indicate differences in culture, climate, and lifestyle. For example, there are differences in dialects, food culture, and industrial structure, and with this simple division it is possible to have an overview of regional differences in Japan.
It is used as a convenient method of division in everyday conversation and in simple regional comparisons.
Map of Japan
Region
| Region | Kanji | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Eastern Japan | 東日本 | ひがしにほん |
| 2. Western Japan | 西日本 | にしにほん |