Departments, Bureaus and Committees;埼玉県の組織と仕事

Departments

Governor 知事 (chiji): The Governor's work is based on the regulations and budget decided upon by the Prefectural Assembly. Beneath the Governor are the Vice Governors, Treasury, followed by each department which are comprised of a number of divisions.
Agencies under Direct Control of the Governor 直轄 (chokkatsu): These agencies are responsible for the secretarial as well as other duties for the Governor.
Department of Policy and Planning 総合政策部 (sogo seisaku bu): The Department of Policy and Planning formulates comprehensive plans for the promotion of the future of Saitama. It gives assistance to municipalities and promotes the development of local communities in addition to supporting the cultural and international exchange activities of the citizens.
Department of General Affairs 総務部 (somu bu): The Department of General Affairs is responsible for matters that pertain to the prefecture as a whole. It receives citizens' complaints and wishes and informs them of the prefecture's activities. It drafts budgets, collects taxes, and manages property owned by the prefecture. The department also works towards the improvement of citizens' lives by supporting activities for local communities, transport safety, women, youth, and consumers. It is also responsible for matters relating to the 2006 FIBA World Championship Basketball Tournament.
Department of Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention 危機管理防災部 (kiki kanri bosai bu): The Department of Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention is responsible for protecting citizens against disasters such as earthquakes, fires, flooding, large scale accidents and terrorism.
Department of Environment 環境部 (kankyo bu): The Department of Environment is responsible for working towards promoting a pleasant environment to live in by preserving the natural environment, encouraging the expansion of local parks and other greeneries, preventing air and water pollution, and promoting recycling and other appropriate methods of dealing with waste.
Department of Welfare 福祉部 (fukushi bu): The Department of Welfare is responsible for creating an environment where all prefectural citizens can live in ease. It is responsible for providing nursing home facilities so the elderly can live in ease. It provides consultation to support the healthy growth of children as well as policies against child abuse. This department is also responsible for the support of handicapped people.
Department of Public Health and Medical Services 保健医療部 (hoken iryo bu): The Department of Public Health and Medical Services is responsible for creating a healthy society and hygienic environment. Through such activities as food safety checks, the department works to maintain a hygienic environment and uphold a healthy living standards. Other than dealing with matters related to infectious diseases and medical services, the department is responsible for the safety of medicine, the prevention of drug abuse and the safety of medical services.
Industry and Labor Department 産業労働部 (sangyo rodo bu): The Industry and Labor Department promotes industry by attracting businesses to establish themselves in Saitama and supporting the introduction of new management systems and technology. It provides commercial loans, as well as promoting tourism and interest in Saitama's specialty produce. The department is also responsible for improving employer-employee relations and supporting workers by running programs such as technical training.
Department of Agriculture and Forestry 農林部 (norin bu): The Department of Agriculture and Forestry provides managerial and technical guidance for those engaged in the agriculture (including stockbreeding), forestry, and fishery industries. Some of its other areas of responsibility include improving and developing agricultural land, providing training for the next generation of farmers and ensuring that the agricultural products reaching consumers are safe and of a high quality.
Department of Land Development 県土整備部 (kendo seibi bu): The Department of Land Development is responsible for the construction and repair of roads and bridges, and the management of dams and rivers.
Department of City Development 都市整備部 (toshi seibi bu): The Department of City Development is responsible for developing and maintaining infrastructure and creating a comfortable environment in which to live. Responsibilities include city planning, maintenance of urban areas, and development of prefectural housing, sewage systems and parks.
Treasury Bureau 出納局 (suito kyoku): The Treasury Bureau handles the payment and receipt of monies required for the prefectural government to function.
Public Enterprise Bureau 企業局 (kigyo kyoku): The Public Enterprise Bureau supplies public utilities such as electricity and water. It also develops and sells land to be used for industrial sites or other purposes.
Prefectural Hospitals Bureau 病院局 (byoin kyoku): The Prefectural Hospitals Bureau manages the 4 prefectural hospitals and provides sophisticated specialized medical treatment.

Committees

Administration Committees 行政委員会 (gyosei i'inkai): To ensure prefectural government's responsibilities, such as education and the police force, are managed in a particularly fair and neutral manner, a number of committees, boards and commissions have been set up to oversee their management.
Educational Bureau 教育局 (kyoiku kyoku): The Educational Bureau was established to ensure that public elementary, junior high and high schools, as well as all other educational institutions, provide a fair and unbiased education.
Public Safety Commission 公安委員会 (koan i'inkai): The Public Safety Commission was put into place in order to formulate policies to promote and maintain neutrality in the police force.
Election Administration Committee 選挙管理委員会 (senkyo kanri i'inkai): The Election Administration Committee was established to ensure fair elections are held in Saitama.
Auditor's Secretariat Office 監査委員 (kansa i'in): The Auditors' Commission investigates whether public monies are appropriately being used to carry out the functions of the prefectural government.
Personnel Commission 人事委員会 (jinji i'inkai): In addition to administering the prefectural government's employment examination, the Personnel Commission encourages improvements in civil servants' work environments by conducting salary assessments.
Labor Relations Commission 労働委員会 (rodo i'inkai): The Labor Relations Commissions is responsible for mediating and arbitrating disputes between employees and employers.
Expropriation Commission 収用委員会 (shuyo i'inkai): The Expropriation Commission objectively mediates disputes arising from prefectural or local governments desiring to purchase private land for pubic use (e.g. roads and rivers).
Fresh Water and Fishery Management Commission 内水面漁場管理委員会 (naisuimen gyojo kanri i'inkai): The Fresh Water and Fishery Management Commission regulates fishing grounds and the rights for fisheries and hatcheries that operate in Saitama's rivers and ponds.
Prefectural Assembly Secretariat 議会事務局 (gikai jimukyoku): The Prefectural Assembly Secretariat is a body of representatives that are elected by the Saitama residents. Members must be at least 20 years old and live in Saitama. The Assembly makes decisions on important matters such as budgets and regulations.