Miyake Town Utilizes Corporate Furusato Tax for Early Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Risks

In a groundbreaking initiative, Miyake Town (Mayor: Koji Morita) has made significant strides in enhancing public health through the proactive use of corporate donations. Thanks to a generous contribution of 2 million yen from A・K Financial, based in Minato, Tokyo, the town has launched an early detection program aimed at identifying risks associated with heart diseases, particularly atrial fibrillation. This project falls under the umbrella of the "Miyake Wellness Town Project," which promotes the health and well-being of its residents.

On February 6, 2026, at the Miyake Town Hall, a ceremony will be held to present a letter of appreciation to A・K Financial for their support of this important health initiative. During the event, Kokoromil, the company that developed the utilized device, the "Home Heart Dock Pro," will showcase its features as well as conduct a demonstration using ECG monitors to highlight the program's impact on the community.* There will also be a report on the participation rates and outcomes of this innovative health screening initiative.

The event aims to welcome media representatives, including television stations and newspapers, highlighting the attention and significance of this initiative within the community. Miyake Town encourages reporting on this unique partnership between the public and private sectors to foster wellness and early health intervention, ensuring that residents stay informed and engaged in their health monitoring efforts.

Project Background

Atrial fibrillation and similar arrhythmias are known to increase the risk of severe conditions like strokes. However, such health issues often remain asymptomatic, and standard brief health checks frequently fail to detect these irregularities. Recognizing this challenge, Miyake Town has embarked on a project using advanced heart health monitoring technology to provide its residents with the ability to identify unforeseen cardiac risks.

The program is distinct in that it operates solely on funds sourced from corporate donations through the Corporate Furusato Tax scheme, rather than drawing from local municipal budgets. This enables a small municipality to partner with startups and benefactors to deliver cutting-edge healthcare services—an unprecedented model in Japan.

Program Overview

Project Name: Miyake Wellness Town Project (Atrial Fibrillation Care Mind Program)
Implementing Body: Miyake Town, Nara Prefecture
Technical Support: Kokoromil, Inc.
Funding Structure: Corporate Furusato Tax (Regional Revitalization Support Tax System)
Donor Company: A・K Financial (Donation Amount: 2 million yen)
Target Audience: Residents of Miyake Town
Available Spots: 80 residents
Current Participation: Approximately 60 residents (as of January 31, 2026)

Residents will undergo up to 24 hours of home-based ECG tests facilitated by Kokoromil's devices. The collected data will be analyzed by healthcare professionals to evaluate the presence of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, and assess future stroke risks. The outcomes and specific participant metrics will be disclosed during the appreciation ceremony, emphasizing the program's significance in fostering immediate healthcare actions.

Appreciation Ceremony Details

Date: February 6, 2026, from 14:00
Location: Miyake Town Community Development Center MiiMo, 1st Floor Hall
Expected Attendees: Miyake Town officials, A・K Financial representatives, and Kokoromil executives
Key Agenda:
1. Opening Remarks
2. Program Overview Presentation
3. Delivery of Appreciation Letter to A・K Financial
4. Demonstration of Atrial Fibrillation Care Mind Program by Kokoromil
5. Photo Opportunity & Media Q&A

Benefits of Utilizing the Corporate Furusato Tax

The program leverages the Corporate Furusato Tax system, allowing businesses to contribute positively to local revitalization while enjoying tax benefits for their donations. This model highlights several advantages:

- Specific contributions toward health promotion with visible societal impacts.
- Enhancement of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability frameworks.
- Tax deductions that lower the actual spending on donations while still making a significant societal contribution.
- Association with transformative healthcare solutions enhances brand value within the health and financial sectors.

Miyake Town's approach showcases how a smaller jurisdiction can implement, through collaboration with corporate donors, advanced health services traditionally reserved for larger urban areas. Additionally, this model holds promise for long-term healthcare cost reductions as early detections may prevent severe health issues over time.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Miyake Town aims to:

- Provide continuous healthcare support for residents.
- Expand the program's model to other municipalities.
- Explore new public-private collaborative frameworks using corporate donations.

This initiative offers a promising example of how health care can begin on a community level and scale across Japan, advocating for safe and proactive health monitoring. The results from this project will soon be publicized through further press releases detailing research findings.

Conclusion

As heart diseases continue to be a leading cause of mortality, initiatives such as the Home Heart Dock Pro promise a proactive approach to health checks that can identify irregularities missed by traditional health screenings. Kokoromil's technology also opens the door to a new era of at-home health management, potentially saving countless lives by ensuring that hidden risks do not remain invisible.

For more information on the program and participating companies, please visit their respective official websites.