#Japan #Digital Transformation #Minato, Tokyo #Hometown Tax #Municipalities Guide

Launch of "Municipalities' Digital Transformation Guide Vol. 9"

The General Incorporated Association, GDX, located in Minato, Tokyo, has announced the upcoming release of the ninth edition of the "Municipalities' Digital Transformation Guide" scheduled for March 2026. This issue will feature an in-depth look at the theme "Post-Point Regulation in Hometown Tax: The End of the 'Return Rate Competition' and Redesigning Municipal Strategies."

Background of the Feature: A New Era of Value Competition in the Hometown Tax Market

On October 1, 2025, the provision of points through intermediary websites for hometown tax donations was prohibited, marking a significant turning point in the market. The competitive landscape, which had previously revolved around attracting donors through point incentives and high return rates, has fundamentally shifted. Now, the criteria for donors have transitioned from merely seeking perks to valuing regional significance, experiences, and sustainable relationships with municipalities.

Today, local governments across the nation are compelled to devise unique strategies to enhance their appeal and cultivate loyal supporters, moving away from dependence on portal sites.

Key Insights of the Feature: Exploring the Next Steps with Latest Data and Case Studies

This upcoming issue will deeply analyze market trends following the regulatory changes, providing municipalities with specific actions they should consider moving forward. GDX has been conducting an "Emergency Survey on the Impact of Point Regulation and Year-End Strategies" since October 2025, and will present analysis results alongside real-world examples from forward-thinking local governments and specialized businesses.

Main Content Highlighted:

• - Impact analysis of the regulatory changes and market trends (based on proprietary research data)
• - Changes in market structure and donor psychology resulting from point regulations
• - Analysis of last-minute demand and outlook post-year-end
• - Designing appealing return gifts and experiences to become a preferred region
• - Transitioning from quantity to quality: Developing attractive return gifts leveraging local resources
• - Emphasizing experiential consumption: The potential for experience-oriented and stay-type content creation and relationship building
• - Moving away from portal dependency and developing effective relationships with donors (CRM)
• - Functional roles and effective utilization of dedicated sites
• - Data-driven marketing and CRM strategies to attract repeat donors

(Note: For reference, please find the press release link regarding the emergency survey initiated on October 25, 2025.)

About the "Municipalities' Digital Transformation Guide"

The "Municipalities' Digital Transformation Guide" is a quarterly publication by GDX, intending to provide the latest trends and practical know-how related to digital transformation in municipal management and local issue resolution. The guide offers exclusive insights into advanced cases from municipalities nationwide and solutions from private sector operators that address these challenges.

Media Overview

• - Name: Municipalities' Digital Transformation Guide Vol. 9
• - Planned Release Date: March 2026
• - Published by: General Incorporated Association GDX
• - Target Audience: Local government DX officers, General Affairs staff, and GDX members (public and supporting members)

Report on the "May 2025 Hometown Tax Actual Conditions Survey" Now Available

The General Incorporated Association GDX continues to examine trends in the hometown tax market. The findings from the "May 2025 Hometown Tax Actual Conditions Survey" serve as a benchmark for market dynamics pre-point regulations.

Municipal officials can request detailed reports from this survey through the following URL (free of charge). Utilize this report for benchmarking information in your municipality's strategic planning.

The report has previously been dispatched to cooperating municipalities, and it serves as the detailed version of the materials presented during the "2025 Hometown Tax Actual Conditions Survey Online Reporting Meeting."

Archive of the Online Reporting Meeting (Now Available)

We are also accepting applications for the archived recording of the "2025 Hometown Tax Actual Conditions Survey Online Reporting Meeting," which summarizes the key points from these survey results. To express interest, please apply via the URL below.

For further inquiries about this press release, please contact:
General Incorporated Association GDX Office
Phone: 03-6683-0106
Email: [email protected]
Contact Us

GDX is dedicated to promoting digital transformation within municipalities, aiming for sustainable development in local communities. By collaborating with local governments, GDX supports resolving regional issues and fostering innovation through the utilization of digital technologies. We strive to bridge local governments and businesses, offering partnership opportunities for accelerating regional revitalization via digital transformation.