Hokkaido's Shibecha Town and Horokanai Town Launch New Hometown Tax Donation Style "Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru" on July 1st. Project to Support Children, Students, and Youth Starts

Shibecha Town and Horokanai Town in Hokkaido will launch "Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru," a new form of hometown tax donation, starting July 1, 2026. Univapaycast Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Shuhei Nakao), which provides the local consumption type hometown tax donation service "Cocofuru," will facilitate this initiative. Both towns will initially begin accepting donations for projects supporting children, students, and youth, who will lead the future.

Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru is an initiative where municipalities present regional issues or projects they wish to solve, and solicit donations through the hometown tax donation system from donors who resonate with the intended use of the funds. A key feature is that donors can support projects by choosing the "purpose of use" rather than the "gift in return."

Both Shibecha Town and Horokanai Town will focus on "Support for Children, Students, and Youth" with the aim of assisting students facing difficulties in pursuing higher education or continuing their studies due to economic reasons, as well as graduates dealing with student loan repayments. Donations are expected to be utilized through supporting educational institutions.

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Shibecha Town: Children, Students, and Youth Support Project

Shibecha Town, located almost in the center of the Kushiro region in eastern Hokkaido, is surrounded by magnificent nature, including Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. The town will launch a project to support children, students, and youth based on three pillars: "A model for advancing to higher education without relying on loan scholarships," "Support for student loan repayment," and "Creation of opportunities for children's experiences."

Horokanai Town: Children, Students, and Youth Support Project

Horokanai Town, known as the "Number One Soba Producing Town in Japan" boasting the largest acreage and production volume of soba in the country. From this small town of approximately 1,200 residents, the town aims to support many children, students, and youth by fostering an environment where they can concentrate on their studies and pursue their dreams and goals after graduation. Horokanai Town is currently operating a local consumption type hometown tax donation service through "Cocofuru," and the launch of Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru will further expand the ways in which people can offer support.

About Donations

At the time of launch, both towns will accept "donations only" without any return gifts. Multiple donation courses will be available, ranging from 1,000 yen to 100,000 yen, allowing donors to choose the purpose of use they wish to support. The entire process can be completed with just a smartphone.

Both towns plan to offer return gifts in the future utilizing Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru, and intend to gradually expand the options for support.

Future Outlook

Through "Cocofuru," Univapaycast Inc. will strive to support the resolution of regional issues not only through local consumption type hometown tax donations but also through Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru. The company aims to contribute to regional revitalization across Japan by expanding a system where donations directly reach local communities.

About Local Consumption Type Hometown Tax Donation Service "Cocofuru"

"Cocofuru" is a local consumption type hometown tax donation service where experiences at travel destinations become the return gift. No app is required; donations and ticket usage can be completed with a smartphone by simply scanning a QR code. Like the current Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru, it also supports donations where users choose the purpose of use.

Company Overview / Contact Information

Company Name: Univapaycast Inc. / Business Activities: Payment Agency Business (PSP)

URL: https://univapaycast.com/ / Service Official Website: https://cocofuru.jp/

Shibecha Town / Horokanai Town Crowdfunding Type Cocofuru Site:

https://future-gate.cocofuru.jp/

Organizer / Collaborating Partner

This project is promoted by NPO Minna no Hokkaido 2100 as the entity collaborating with the municipalities for planning and operation. Univapaycast Inc. provides the "Cocofuru" platform.

NPO Minna no Hokkaido 2100 / URL: https://www.m-h2100.com/

[Contact for Media Inquiries]

Univapaycast Inc. Public Relations /

Phone: 03-6441-3400 / Email: cocofuru@univapay.com