Setouchi City to Subsidy Up to 10 Million Yen for Private Playground Development Using Hometown Tax Funds

Setouchi City in Okayama Prefecture is introducing the "Setouchi City Playground Development Project Subsidy" to support corporations and organizations that own land or buildings within the city in creating environments where preschoolers and elementary school children can play safely.

As securing spaces for children to play and interact freely has become increasingly important, the city aims to foster regional child-rearing environments and support healthy growth by assisting private-sector playground initiatives. By encouraging diverse entities to participate, the city also hopes to enhance regional attractiveness and promote a family-friendly urban environment.

### Subsidy Overview

**1. Eligible Facilities**
Facilities where preschoolers and elementary students can engage in physical activity, meeting all the following criteria:
- Permanent and widely accessible to city residents (regardless of whether the facility is free or paid).
- Generally at least 100 square meters in area.
- Equipped with safe playground equipment, toys, and necessary facilities.
- Outdoor facilities must consider usage during rain and extreme heat.

**2. Eligible Applicants**
- Corporations or organizations owning land or buildings in the city.
- Entities with the intention to continue operating the playground for at least three years.
- Must have fully paid city taxes and not be involved in political/religious activities or organized crime.

**3. Subsidy Details**
- **Rate:** Within 1/2 of eligible expenses.
- **Maximum Amount:** 10 million yen.
- **Eligible Expenses:** Design fees, construction contracts, equipment purchase (new items only), and other expenses deemed necessary by the Mayor.

### Schedule
- **Application Period:** May 15, 2026 (Fri) to June 19, 2026 (Fri) 4:00 PM.
- **Document Review:** Late June 2026.
- **Notification of Results:** Scheduled for early July 2026.

*Note: This subsidy is funded by donations collected through the Personal and Corporate Versions of the 'Hometown Tax' (Hometown Tax: Setouchi City Kids Plaza Project).*

### Mayor's Comment (Kentaro Kuroishi, Mayor of Setouchi City)
"In my visits around the community, I've felt a strong demand for places where children can play even in the heat or rain. While the government could build a massive facility, it would take years to secure the budget and land—but children grow up quickly. To deliver play spaces to today's children rapidly, we created this subsidy to promote public-private partnerships. We hope private operators will effectively utilize these spaces to increase foot traffic while ensuring sustainable management."