In addition to employing tokenizing algorithms to identify address elements, the Postal Matcher also defines geographic elements into logical hierarchies. As shown in the following table, a Level 1 geography is the highest (largest) geographic or postal level. The following table shows the geographic levels and examples for Japan.
| Term | Concept | Metro Example | City/Suburb Example | Rural Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Prefecture (Todofuken) | 東京都 | 北海道 | 長野県 |
| Level 2 | City, Ward, Town, Village (Shikuchoson) | 台東区 | 札幌市東区 | 諏訪郡下諏訪町 |
| Level 3 | Town Area (Choiki) | 浅草 | 北六条東 | 広瀬町 |
| Level 4 |
Building Name, Building #, Other |
札幌センター １号館 | ||
| Block | Chome | 4丁目 | ４丁目 | |
| Sub-block | Ban, Banchi | 10番 | 1530 番地 | |
| House # | Go | 10号 | ||
| Floor | Floor # | 10Ｆ | ||
| Post Office | Post Office name for PO Box | 札幌中央郵便局 | ||
| PO Box | Post Office Box # | 私書箱第１２２号 | ||
| Postcode | Postal Code | 1110032 | 0600906 | 3930056 |