Summary of Minister Murakami's Press Conference on September 26, 2023

Overview of Minister Murakami's Press Conference

On September 26, 2023, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Mr. Murakami, held a press conference where he discussed crucial policy matters affecting local governments and Japan Post. The conference covered the cancellation of certain municipalities from the hometown tax program and administrative guidance issued to Japan Post regarding postal delivery issues.

Cancellation of Municipalities from Hometown Tax Program

Minister Murakami began by announcing the cancellation of four municipalities from the eligibility list for the hometown tax donation system. These included Sōja City in Okayama Prefecture, Miyaki Town in Saga Prefecture, Unzen City in Nagasaki Prefecture, and Yamato Town in Kumamoto Prefecture. After confirming the facts, it was determined that these municipalities failed to meet the standards set for participation in this tax program.

The minister expressed his regret, stating that the string of cancellations could undermine public trust in the hometown tax donation system, which aims to promote regional revitalization. He emphasized that the Ministry will continue to require compliance with standard guidelines from all municipalities to uphold the program's integrity. The cancellations will officially take effect on September 30, 2023, and municipalities seeking further clarification are advised to contact the Local Tax Bureau.

Administrative Guidance to Japan Post

The next topic addressed by Minister Murakami involved the administrative guidance issued to Japan Post concerning issues of mail abandonment and concealment. During the session, he noted that the company would be required to improve its response strategies related to these concerns. He detailed that instances where postal laws were violated, or where users’ mail could not be delivered or returned due to mishaps must be reported and publicly disclosed.

The minister indicated that a briefing would follow the press conference to provide more detailed information regarding Japan Post's obligations.

Questions and Answers

During the Q&A session, journalists raised several inquiries concerning the cancellation of municipal designations related to the hometown tax. One question focused on the implications of violations where municipalities had exceeded the limit of spending on advertising and promotional items. The minister reaffirmed his disappointment over repeated violations, stressing the need for municipalities to maintain proper financial management concerning their fundraising activities.

When asked about specific municipalities in Okayama Prefecture that had previously experienced similar issues, Minister Murakami recognized the importance of avoiding future violations and reiterated the Ministry's commitment to enforcing compliance with the set standards through official notifications.

Another journalist inquired about municipalities that had violated standards without necessarily reaching the point of cancellation. The minister explained the Ministry's approach of carefully considering circumstances unique to each case throughout the decision-making process.

Conclusion

The conference concluded with the Minister reiterating the need for transparency and accountability from municipalities participating in the hometown tax system and a commitment to enhancing the regulatory framework guiding Japan Post’s operations. This press conference shed light on the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that tax policies serve the intended purpose of bolstering local communities effectively and transparently.