The total amount of money collected under the furusato nōzei (hometown tax donation) system in fiscal 2020, which ended in March, rose to a record high of ¥672.5 billion, it was learned Wednesday. The figure jumped 1.4-fold from ¥487.5 billion in the previous year. The number ...
Operators of websites that mediate between municipalities and donors are projecting that the amount raised for fiscal 2020 will top the record of ¥512.7 billion in fiscal 2018.
Aichi city aims to give ‘dropout’ service dogs a second life
The city of Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, is utilizing Japan's furusato nōzei hometown donation system to support a second life for dogs that fail to become service animals. There is currently no public support for such dogs, according to the Japan Service Dog Association. "There are ...
In Japan, the perfect tax-deductible gifts: face masks and sanitizers
With supplies of face masks and sanitizers running short amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some municipalities have begun to offer such items as gift incentives as part of the furusato nōzei (hometown tax donation) system rather than local products like meat or fish. The government of ...
For one city in Shizuoka Prefecture, panic-buying has evolved into panic-donating. Fuji has seen a rush of donations through the furusato nōzei (hometown tax donation system) from people hoping to secure toilet and tissue paper as return gifts amid the spread of the new coronavirus. Donations ...
Osaka Prefecture city's removal from hometown tax scheme ruled valid
A court Thursday ruled that the government acted lawfully in removing a city that offered extravagant gift incentives to attract tax-deductible donations from the furusato nōzei (hometown tax) program, marking a first in the conflict between the central and local governments over the program. The ...
A decision by the internal affairs ministry raises questions from the viewpoint of local autonomy and the decentralization of administrative powers.
Western Japan city to sue ministry after being excluded from hometown tax donation system
The city of Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, will file a lawsuit against the internal affairs ministry in a bid to reverse a decision to remove the city from the revised furusato nōzei (hometown tax donation) system, Mayor Hiroyasu Chiyomatsu said Friday. "The ministry's decision to exclude ...
Ministry confirms city in Osaka Prefecture will be barred from hometown tax donation system
The internal affairs ministry said Thursday it is sticking with its decision to exclude the city of Izumisano from the revised furusato nōzei hometown tax donation system. The ministry concluded again that the Osaka Prefecture city, does not qualify after failing to follow a ministry ...
Donations to quake-hit towns in Hokkaido rose sharply in fiscal 2018
Donations to three towns in Hokkaido hit by a powerful earthquake last year expanded sharply in fiscal 2018 under the government's furusato nōzei (hometown tax donation) system, according to local municipalities. Under the plan, which allows taxpayers to contribute to their hometowns or other municipalities ...
Donations to Japan's hometown tax donation program topped record ¥512 billion in 2018
The annual total surged 40 percent, the steepest increase on record, as governments drew interest from around the nation with generous return gifts.
A survey has found that 58.4 percent of respondents are supportive of a new rule limiting the value of return gifts handed out under Japan's furusato nōzei (hometown tax donation) system to local products worth 30 percent or less of the value of donations. The ...
