Local Payment-Type Furusato Nozei "Furusato Now" Launches in Hanno City
Astena Minerva's local payment-type Furusato Nozei service, "Furusato Now," will begin operations in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture, on April 1st.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 18:00
Astena Minerva Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Utano Shimizu) is pleased to announce that "Furusato Now," a local payment-type Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) service that allows anyone to easily support local communities, will begin operations in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture on Wednesday, April 1st.
"Furusato Now" is a system where visitors can make a Furusato Nozei donation using a tablet device installed at the facility they visit, or their personal smartphone, and receive a return gift immediately on the spot. No membership registration is required; users simply enter the necessary donation information into the tablet device or smartphone, allowing them to make a Furusato Nozei donation even during waiting times during their visit. This makes it easy for even first-time Furusato Nozei users to utilize the service.
In recent years, the high expense ratio of Furusato Nozei has been highlighted as a social issue. With the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reviewing expense ratio calculation standards, local governments are being asked to further reduce their expense ratios. Unlike EC mall-type Furusato Nozei websites, "Furusato Now" involves donations and return gift handovers occurring locally, eliminating expenses such as shipping costs. We believe this can significantly contribute to reducing the expense ratios of local governments struggling to meet the new standards.
Furthermore, the golf courses and accommodation facilities slated for introduction this time are attracting attention as tourism resources with good access from the Tokyo metropolitan area. We hope that this initiative will lead to the creation of new financial resources through the effective utilization of Hanno City's tourism revenue, and provide an opportunity for people to feel the charm of the region and its facilities more strongly.
### Facilities to be introduced
### Uses of donations in Hanno City
Donations collected through "Furusato Now" will be utilized for the following purposes:
1. Town development in cooperation with Metsä
2. Passing on rich nature to the future
3. Utilizing abundant forests
4. Promoting culture and sports
5. Promoting children's policies
6. Promoting the use of the adult guardianship system
7. Town development resilient to disasters
8. Maintenance and improvement of public facilities
9. Leave it to the mayor
Contact for Furusato Now:
e-mail: [email protected]
Furusato Now Official HP: https://lp.furusato-now.jp/
Astena Minerva Co., Ltd. Company Profile
Company Name: Astena Minerva Co., Ltd.
Location: 177-3 Hokkata, Kamido-machi, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Representative: Utano Shimizu, Representative Director and President
Established: December 1, 2021 (Reiwa 3)
URL: https://astena-minerva.co.jp/
Business Description: Corporate function for social impact businesses
"Furusato Now" is a system where visitors can make a Furusato Nozei donation using a tablet device installed at the facility they visit, or their personal smartphone, and receive a return gift immediately on the spot. No membership registration is required; users simply enter the necessary donation information into the tablet device or smartphone, allowing them to make a Furusato Nozei donation even during waiting times during their visit. This makes it easy for even first-time Furusato Nozei users to utilize the service.
In recent years, the high expense ratio of Furusato Nozei has been highlighted as a social issue. With the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reviewing expense ratio calculation standards, local governments are being asked to further reduce their expense ratios. Unlike EC mall-type Furusato Nozei websites, "Furusato Now" involves donations and return gift handovers occurring locally, eliminating expenses such as shipping costs. We believe this can significantly contribute to reducing the expense ratios of local governments struggling to meet the new standards.
Furthermore, the golf courses and accommodation facilities slated for introduction this time are attracting attention as tourism resources with good access from the Tokyo metropolitan area. We hope that this initiative will lead to the creation of new financial resources through the effective utilization of Hanno City's tourism revenue, and provide an opportunity for people to feel the charm of the region and its facilities more strongly.
### Facilities to be introduced
### Uses of donations in Hanno City
Donations collected through "Furusato Now" will be utilized for the following purposes:
1. Town development in cooperation with Metsä
2. Passing on rich nature to the future
3. Utilizing abundant forests
4. Promoting culture and sports
5. Promoting children's policies
6. Promoting the use of the adult guardianship system
7. Town development resilient to disasters
8. Maintenance and improvement of public facilities
9. Leave it to the mayor
Contact for Furusato Now:
e-mail: [email protected]
Furusato Now Official HP: https://lp.furusato-now.jp/
Astena Minerva Co., Ltd. Company Profile
Company Name: Astena Minerva Co., Ltd.
Location: 177-3 Hokkata, Kamido-machi, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Representative: Utano Shimizu, Representative Director and President
Established: December 1, 2021 (Reiwa 3)
URL: https://astena-minerva.co.jp/
Business Description: Corporate function for social impact businesses
FAQ
What is the main feature of Furusato Now?
Its ease of use, allowing donations via tablet or smartphone during a facility visit and immediate receipt of return gifts, while also reducing local government costs.
Can it be used outside Hanno City?
Currently, it is launching in Hanno City, but future expansion to other regions is expected.
What types of facilities can use it?
It will be available at golf courses and accommodation facilities within Hanno City.