GIFTY Inc., a company specializing in e-gifting platforms based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has been awarded funding under the national supplementary budget for 2025, specifically through the "Regional Revitalization Temporary Grant for Emergency Support". This initiative has opened the doors for GIFTY to deploy its digital platform services across 14 municipalities and 16 projects nationwide.
The municipalities benefiting from this collaboration include cities and towns like Kitahiroshima in Hokkaido, Katagami in Akita, Sukagawa in Fukushima, and several others in Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, Yamaguchi, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. GIFTY plans to utilize its innovative services, including their proprietary solutions like the "e-Community Platform®" and the "giftee for Business" initiatives, to effectively address local challenges faced by these areas.
The Regional Revitalization Temporary Grant was introduced by the Cabinet Office as a direct response to the rising prices of essential goods, providing municipal governments with the financial means to implement necessary measures tailored to the local context. This is focused on alleviating economic burdens, especially for low-income households and families with children amidst the ongoing increases in living costs. With a budget of 2 trillion yen allocated for this initiative in 2025, local authorities are actively working to deploy effective solutions.
GIFTY aims to respond swiftly to the diverse needs of municipalities by offering extensive digital solutions tailored to various benefit structures. This includes premium electronic gift certificates and local points that can be redeemed at participating merchants, as well as numerous types of digital gifts available nationwide. The company is also focused on providing comprehensive management systems for local governments, from the distribution of gifts to the analysis of their impact. Previous implementations have demonstrated the effectiveness of GIFTY's solutions in easing the economic burdens faced by local communities, particularly during times of crisis such as during pandemic outbreaks or natural disasters.
Through this round of funding, GIFTY will expand its support to a total of 26 municipalities and 28 initiatives as of May 2026. With community engagement in mind, GIFTY’s services will promote economic revitalization in the selected regions. Specific solutions will be rolled out for municipalities like Kitahiroshima and Takatsuki, which include electronic vouchers and other locally targeted services to facilitate community engagement and support their residents.
Additionally, GIFTY's "giftee for Business" service will provide tailored digital gift products that can cater to various business needs—ensuring flexibility in terms of rewards and economic support mechanisms. The offerings included in the "giftee Box Select" allow municipalities to choose digital gift options that can be tailored to the demographics of their residents, whether it involves daily essentials or specialized services such as childcare support. Furthermore, the new option for cash withdrawals via Seven Bank ATMs makes the gifts even more appealing, as they can meet the immediate financial needs of recipients.
As the collaboration progresses, GIFTY is committed to continuously refining its offerings and responding to the varying challenges municipalities face in supporting their residents. Their service ecosystem is designed to seamlessly integrate into the operations of local governments, facilitating efficient management of community support initiatives. The integration of technology into these support programs not only enhances the efficiency of municipal operations but also elevates recipient satisfaction by providing them with various options tailored to their specific needs.
In conclusion, this strategic partnership between GIFTY and local governments signifies a proactive approach to addressing the pressing economic challenges faced by many households throughout Japan. By leveraging digital solutions to provide essential support, GIFTY is not only contributing to the immediate relief efforts but is also fostering long-term relationships with communities that will ultimately strengthen local economies as they navigate through these turbulent times.