National Jan 30, 2021
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.
National Jan 12, 2021
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 ...
National Aug 5, 2020
Japan hometown tax donations fell to ¥487 billion in 2019 with new curbs
The total amount of money collected under the furusato nozei hometown donation system in fiscal 2019 totaled ¥487.5 billion, down from some ¥512.7 billion in the preceding year, Jiji Press learned Tuesday. The furusato nozei system allows people to make donations to local governments of ...
National / Crime & Legal Jul 3, 2020
Ministry to let excluded areas rejoin Japan's hometown donation system
The decision comes after the Supreme Court nixed the government's decision to exclude the city because of the expensive return gifts it sends to donors.
National / Crime & Legal Jun 30, 2020
Japan Supreme Court nixes removal of city from tax scheme over pricey gifts
The program, allowing tax-deductible donations to hometowns or other municipalities, aims to ease tax revenue disparities between urban and rural areas.
National Apr 22, 2020
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 ...
National Mar 7, 2020
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 ...
National Jan 30, 2020
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 ...
Editorials Oct 13, 2019
A decision by the internal affairs ministry raises questions from the viewpoint of local autonomy and the decentralization of administrative powers.
National Oct 12, 2019
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 ...
National Oct 4, 2019
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 ...
National Sep 3, 2019
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 ...