The Clear Polarization in Furusato Tax Donations Revealed by Recent Survey

Recently, the General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (GDX) conducted an in-depth survey regarding the Furusato tax system across Japanese municipalities. This initiative gathered responses from 303 local government entities and revealed startling trends concerning donations. The results demonstrated a stark polarization among municipalities participating in the Furusato tax program.

Survey Overview

- Survey Period: May to June 2025
- Method: Web-based questionnaire
- Number of Responding Municipalities: 303
- Objective: To grasp the current operational status of the Furusato tax system, identify new initiatives, and tackle the challenges faced by local governments to drive further growth and effective implementation of the system.

Key Findings

The survey unveiled a pronounced divide in donations made to municipalities utilizing the Furusato tax program:

- Increased Donations: 51.2% (155 municipalities)
- Decreased Donations: 27.7% (84 municipalities)
- Stable Donations (within 10% increase/decrease): 21.2% (64 municipalities)

The disparity in donations between increasing and decreasing municipalities reached a notable 23.5 points, highlighting that adaptability to policy changes is essential for municipal success.

Factors Affecting Donation Fluctuations

Respondents identified several contributing elements to the shifts in donation amounts:

- Enhanced Appeal and Variety of Return Gifts: 55.8%
- Portal Site Strategies: 36.3%
- Strengthened Promotions: 28.7%
- Observation of Competitor Municipalities: 21.8%
- Impact of Policy Changes: 20.1%
- Demand and Shortage of Rice: 11.2%

Particularly noteworthy was the significant impact of the aforementioned “demand-shortage of rice” factor, accounting for 11.2% of the responses, indicating that the social issues concerning rice production, referred to as the “Reiwa Rice Crisis,” have substantially influenced the Furusato tax framework.

Announcement of Survey Results

The full survey results will be publicly shared at the "Furusato Tax Actual Situation Survey Report Conference" on July 30, 2025. Participating municipalities will receive comprehensive reports detailing the findings.

Furusato Tax Actual Situation Survey Report Conference

Content: This seminar will reveal operational realities derived from feedback from over 300 dedicated personnel managing the Furusato tax program. It will analyze common challenges that many municipalities face and highlight characteristics of organizations achieving positive outcomes. Furthermore, participants will gain insights into the latest Furusato tax-related services that could enhance operational efficiency and increase donation amounts. As a special perk, all attendees will receive a copy of the 'Furusato Tax Actual Situation Survey Report.'

Event Details:

- Date: July 30, 2025 (Wednesday) from 10:00 to 11:30 (Doors open at 9:50)
- Format: Online event via Zoom
- Fee: Free
- Capacity: 100 participants (First come, first served)
- Target Audience: Municipal staff, GDX members

Registration Information

To register for the online seminar, please click here. (For those unable to access the link, please register using the contact information below):
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03-6683-0106

The General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (GDX) aims to drive the digital transformation of local governments, fostering sustainable development within communities. By collaborating with various municipalities, GDX supports the resolution of regional issues and the creation of innovations through digital technologies. It serves as a bridging platform between local governments and private enterprises, accelerating regional regeneration via digital transformation. Feel free to reach out with any inquiries.
Contact Information:
General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (GDX)
1-3-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, A-R Cube Aoyama 3F
03-6683-0106
[email protected]
https://www.gdx.or.jp