#Japan #Tokyo #Furusato Tax #GDX #Municipality

Survey on Point Regulation Effects in the Furusato Tax System

The General Association of Local Government Digital Transformation Promotion Council (GDX), located in Minato, Tokyo, has conducted an urgent survey in response to the significant reforms in the Furusato tax system, particularly the ban on point incentives implemented on October 1, 2025. This regulatory change has marked a sudden shift in the furusato tax landscape, where over 90% of the 192 participating municipalities reported substantial declines in contributions, while more than 70% described these declines as extremely serious.

Context of the Survey: Transition from 'Bargain' to 'Attractiveness'

The modification in the system, specifically the introduction of point regulations, has effectively ended the competition model that thrived on the 'value for money' approach that had previously driven market growth. Municipalities are now facing increased pressure to attract donors through intrinsic values, such as the unique stories and attractions of their regions. This survey aims to gauge the reality of these impacts.

The survey, conducted from late October to early November 2025, garnered feedback from a diverse array of local governments, each with its own set of challenges and strategies moving forward. The resulting data illustrates a stark picture of the future of the Furusato tax program and highlights the urgent need for municipalities to adapt their strategies.

Details of the Emergency Seminar

In response to the overwhelming requests for detailed analyses from various municipalities, GDX will be hosting an urgent online seminar on November 19, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM (JST). The seminar will cover key findings from the survey and delve into specific strategies that municipalities should implement post-regulatory changes.

Webinar Details:

• - Date: November 19, 2025, Wednesday
• - Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Estimated)
• - Format: Online (Zoom Webinar)
• - Registration Fee: Free (Pre-registration required)
• - Target Audience: Local government employees across Japan / GDX members
• - Capacity: First 300 participants

You can register here. If the link doesn't work, please email [email protected] to sign up. Registration will close once the capacity is reached.

Timetable: Details are currently being refined.

Related Information

The GDX has been continuously monitoring trends in the Furusato tax sector. As part of this effort, we recommend reviewing our May 2025 Furusato tax status report, which serves as a benchmark for market conditions before the point regulation was implemented.

Local government employees can receive access to the detailed report through this request form. This report also serves as a comprehensive resource for strategic planning among municipalities.

Archive of the Online Seminar

Registrations for the archived version of the online seminar focusing on the May 2025 Furusato tax status report are currently open. To view the highlights, please sign up here. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or call 03-6683-0106 for more information.

Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding this matter, please reach out to:
General Association of Local Government Digital Transformation Promotion Council (GDX)
Furusato Tax DX Department
TEL: 03-6683-0106
Email: [email protected]

The GDX is dedicated to promoting digital transformation within local governments and fostering sustainable community development. Through collaborations with municipalities, we support the resolution of regional issues and the creation of innovations by leveraging digital technologies. We aim to serve as a bridge between local authorities and businesses, accelerating regional revitalization through digital transformation partnerships.