Donations to municipal governments in western Japan have risen sharply since torrential rains pounded the region in July, with the city of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture collecting ¥119.78 million the same month — 45 times more than a year earlier — through furusato nozei (hometown tax donation system).
The donation system launched in fiscal 2008 provides tax deductions to people who donate to a local government of their choice. While the program has widely drawn attention because of attractive gifts offered by local governments in return for donations, many people in Kurashiki's case decided to offer funds as "disaster reconstruction aid," meaning such items won't be given in return.
According to the city of Kurashiki, more than 70 percent of the ¥119.78 million, or ¥86.27 million, was donated for disaster reconstruction. Including the funds that have been offered via five other municipalities outside Okayama Prefecture, the total sum of hometown contributions to the city was expected to reach ¥310 million by early August.