Government DX Council Launches May 2026 Furusato Nozei Survey for Municipalities Nationwide, Focusing on Regulatory Impacts
The Government DX Promotion Council has launched its "Furusato Nozei Actual Situation Survey (May 2026)" targeting municipalities across Japan. The survey aims to understand the impact of a series of systemic changes—including the ban on loyalty points and revised expense ratio rules—on local government donation trends and operations. The survey form is being distributed with the council's newsletter, "Municipality DX Guide Vol. 9," with results to be announced at an online briefing on July 15, 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 08:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 05:02 (20h 30m after Collected)
The Government DX Promotion Council (hereafter "the Council") has launched the "Furusato Nozei Actual Situation Survey (May 2026)" targeting Furusato Nozei (Hometown Tax) departments in municipalities nationwide.
The survey form is being sent to municipalities across the country, enclosed with the Council's newsletter, "Municipality DX Guide Vol. 9." The response deadline is the end of May 2026, and the aggregated results are scheduled to be announced at an online briefing on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
■ Background of the Survey
The Furusato Nozei system is facing a major turning point, marked by a series of significant changes. These include the ban on loyalty points issued via portal sites effective October 2025, the enforcement of new operational standards for expense ratios, revisions to local product criteria (particularly the Article 3 standard slated for October 2026), and the planned introduction of a cap on special tax deductions for high-income earners starting from 2027 donations.
These regulatory shifts are expected to have a wide-ranging impact on municipal donation trends and administrative practices. They also serve as an opportunity to refocus on the original purpose of the Furusato Nozei system: building relationships with donors and promoting regional attractions.
In light of this, the Council is conducting this survey to visualize how municipalities are responding, identify practical challenges on the ground, and understand the direction of future initiatives they wish to undertake.
■ About the Newsletter "Municipality DX Guide Vol. 9"
The survey form is enclosed with the Council's newsletter, which has been sent to municipalities nationwide.
Special Feature Theme: Point Regulations, Expense Ratios, Local Product Criteria — The Future of Furusato Nozei
Main Copy: Furusato Nozei, Back to its Roots
Lead: From Points to Stories. From Competition to Empathy.
【Furusato Nozei Case Studies and Related Solutions in Vol. 9】
Building a sustainable Furusato Nozei program through direct management (Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture)
Fan-building support for Furusato Nozei using a dedicated website and LINE (PlayNext Labo Inc.)
"Premium Yutai Club Furusato Nozei" utilizing shareholder benefit points (WILLs Inc.)
Furusato Nozei operational outsourcing and specialized Amazon e-commerce consulting (Axalpha Inc.)
In-person payment and local consumption Furusato Nozei service "Coco Furu" (UNIVA Paycast Inc.)
Store-based Furusato Nozei® "Furusato's" (Sankaku Kikaku Inc.)
■ About the Government DX Promotion Council
The Government DX Promotion Council (GDX) is an organization that promotes digital transformation in municipalities to achieve sustainable development in local communities. In collaboration with various municipalities, it supports the resolution of regional issues and the creation of innovation using digital technology.
It acts as a bridge between local governments and businesses, providing a platform for partnership to accelerate regional revitalization through digital transformation.
■ Inquiries Regarding This Release and Survey
Government DX Promotion Council (GDX Secretariat), Furusato Nozei DX Department
TEL: 03-6683-0106
E-mail: furusato@gdx.or.jp
URL: https://gdx.or.jp/
The survey form is being sent to municipalities across the country, enclosed with the Council's newsletter, "Municipality DX Guide Vol. 9." The response deadline is the end of May 2026, and the aggregated results are scheduled to be announced at an online briefing on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
■ Background of the Survey
The Furusato Nozei system is facing a major turning point, marked by a series of significant changes. These include the ban on loyalty points issued via portal sites effective October 2025, the enforcement of new operational standards for expense ratios, revisions to local product criteria (particularly the Article 3 standard slated for October 2026), and the planned introduction of a cap on special tax deductions for high-income earners starting from 2027 donations.
These regulatory shifts are expected to have a wide-ranging impact on municipal donation trends and administrative practices. They also serve as an opportunity to refocus on the original purpose of the Furusato Nozei system: building relationships with donors and promoting regional attractions.
In light of this, the Council is conducting this survey to visualize how municipalities are responding, identify practical challenges on the ground, and understand the direction of future initiatives they wish to undertake.
■ About the Newsletter "Municipality DX Guide Vol. 9"
The survey form is enclosed with the Council's newsletter, which has been sent to municipalities nationwide.
Special Feature Theme: Point Regulations, Expense Ratios, Local Product Criteria — The Future of Furusato Nozei
Main Copy: Furusato Nozei, Back to its Roots
Lead: From Points to Stories. From Competition to Empathy.
【Furusato Nozei Case Studies and Related Solutions in Vol. 9】
Building a sustainable Furusato Nozei program through direct management (Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture)
Fan-building support for Furusato Nozei using a dedicated website and LINE (PlayNext Labo Inc.)
"Premium Yutai Club Furusato Nozei" utilizing shareholder benefit points (WILLs Inc.)
Furusato Nozei operational outsourcing and specialized Amazon e-commerce consulting (Axalpha Inc.)
In-person payment and local consumption Furusato Nozei service "Coco Furu" (UNIVA Paycast Inc.)
Store-based Furusato Nozei® "Furusato's" (Sankaku Kikaku Inc.)
■ About the Government DX Promotion Council
The Government DX Promotion Council (GDX) is an organization that promotes digital transformation in municipalities to achieve sustainable development in local communities. In collaboration with various municipalities, it supports the resolution of regional issues and the creation of innovation using digital technology.
It acts as a bridge between local governments and businesses, providing a platform for partnership to accelerate regional revitalization through digital transformation.
■ Inquiries Regarding This Release and Survey
Government DX Promotion Council (GDX Secretariat), Furusato Nozei DX Department
TEL: 03-6683-0106
E-mail: furusato@gdx.or.jp
URL: https://gdx.or.jp/