A unitary state is a form of government where power is concentrated in a central authority. In this system, the national government holds the primary authority, and any administrative divisions, such as regions or provinces, derive their powers from it. This means that local governments can be created or abolished by the central government, which maintains control over laws and policies. Countries like France and Japan are examples of unitary states. In these nations, the central government makes decisions that affect the entire country, while local governments primarily implement those decisions. This structure can lead to more uniform policies across the nation but may limit local autonomy.