Saitama Prefecture's Misato Town Introduces Innovative Student Support Fund Initiative

Introduction

Misato Town in Saitama has taken a significant step forward by launching a groundbreaking initiative known as the "High School Generation Support Fund," enabling high school students to apply for and receive benefits more easily than ever. Effective from November 17, 2023, students can submit applications through LINE and pick up their benefits directly at Seven Bank ATMs, reducing the waiting time from approximately three weeks to potentially same-day access.

System Overview

The program is designed to empower high school students by allowing them to manage the entire process using their smartphones. The initiative was made possible thanks to a collaboration between Bot Express, a company based in Tokyo, and the Misato Town administrative office. The integration of the official Misato Town LINE account with the government-exclusive application "GovTech Express" provides a seamless experience.

Students verify their identity through LINE's public personal certification service, using their My Number cards directly on their smartphones. This process ensures quick verification and confirms their eligibility for the funds. The chosen method for receiving benefits is the innovative "ATM Cash Withdrawal (Cash Course)" offered by Seven Payment Services. This means students can avoid the lengthy wait previously required for benefits to be processed and distributed.

Key Features of the Initiatives

1. 24/7 LINE Applications: High school students can apply for benefits any time of the day without needing to visit the town office or send documents via mail.

2. Online Identity Verification Using My Number Card (JPKI): Leveraging the JPKI method ensures that the verification process is rapid and helps mitigate fraud risks continuously.

3. ATM Cash Withdrawals Available: Students without bank accounts can still benefit from this fund, as they can utilize the issued withdrawal code at any Seven Bank ATM nationwide to receive their cash.

4. Automated Process from Decision to Code Issuance: The system automates the entire process, from issuing the withdrawal code post-approval to notifying applicants via LINE and updating them on their status, which reduces the administrative burden for town staff and improves efficiency in processing.

Impact of the High School Generation Support Fund

The initiative is designed in response to the prolonged challenge of rising living costs, aiming to support the healthy growth of the younger generation. In a town with a population of approximately 10,592, around 2,293 residents—representing nearly 20% of the total population—have linked their accounts on LINE by early December 2023. This engagement facilitates enhanced convenience in accessing municipal services.

Statements from Mayor Nobutsugu Harada

Mayor Nobutsugu Harada expresses a strong desire to support and engage high school students in the community. He emphasizes that the introduction of this financial assistance aims to enhance student awareness and involvement in the town's development. The town hopes this fund will lead to greater discourse and interest among young people regarding their local community. Harada believes that with the new capabilities of online applications and ATM privileges, the hurdles previously associated with obtaining such support can be overcome.

Looking Forward

As Misato Town embraces the advantages of technology, it continues to push for the digitization of various administrative processes. With their mission to create a town office that requires no physical visits, this initiative signifies a step towards modernizing government services.

Bot Express continues to prioritize building an administrative service that resonates with citizens while working in partnership with local governments for better service provision. With over 350 municipalities already engaging with their services by November 2023, Bot Express aims to solidify its position in enhancing community interaction through technology.

For more detailed information on the High School Generation Support Fund, visit: Misato Town Official Website.