On April, 1888, it was promulgated as the latter part (as opposed to the first part consisting of Shisei) of Legislative Decree No.1, Apr.17,1888 as a replacement for the previous law, Gun-ku-cho-son Heniseiho (an act for the organization of the administrative divisions).
1888年（明治21年）4月にそれまでの郡区町村編制法に代え明治21年4月17日法律第1号の後半（前半は市制）として公布された。