November 5

Summary

In this video, the speaker introduces Furusato Nozei, Japan's unique 'Hometown Tax' system, where citizens donate to local governments in exchange for regional products and tax breaks. The speaker shares their personal experience of donating to Kagoshima Prefecture, receiving delicious sweet potato snacks as a thank-you gift. Furusato Nozei allows people to support local economies while enjoying local foods and receiving incentives, making it a win-win for both donors and local governments. The system highlights the importance of community support and offers an engaging way to contribute to regional growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Furano (Hometown Tax) is a unique Japanese system that allows people to donate money to local governments in exchange for products and tax breaks.
• 😀 Donors select a city, town, or village to support and donate a specified amount of money to the region.
• 😀 In return for their donations, donors receive local goods, such as food or other regional specialties.
• 😀 The primary purpose of Furano is to support local governments financially and boost their economies.
• 😀 Furano is beneficial for both the local government and the donor, creating a win-win system where both parties gain.
• 😀 The system is especially effective in helping smaller and less populated areas that might struggle to attract funds.
• 😀 Participants can choose any region to support, even without having a personal connection to that area, as the primary motivation is often the gifts received.
• 😀 The speaker donated ¥10,000 to Kagoshima Prefecture and received around ¥5,000–6,000 worth of regional products in return.
• 😀 The product received by the speaker included a snack called 'Imaro,' made from deep-fried sweet potatoes, coated in sugar, a popular winter treat in Japan.
• 😀 Furano is praised as an effective system that helps rural areas thrive while offering donors valuable goods and tax breaks in return.
• 😀 The speaker hopes that other countries will adopt similar systems to support their local communities and economies.

Q & A

What is *Furusato Nozei* (Hometown Tax) in Japan?

Furusato Nozei, or Hometown Tax, is a donation system in Japan where individuals contribute money to local governments in exchange for regional products or tax breaks. The system helps local areas raise funds and supports regional economies.

How does the *Furusato Nozei* system benefit donors?

Donors benefit from the *Furusato Nozei* system by receiving gifts, such as local food or handicrafts, in return for their donations. Additionally, donors receive tax deductions, making the donation process financially advantageous.

What types of products can donors receive through *Furusato Nozei*?

Donors can receive various regional products, including food items, local specialties, and crafts. In the video, the speaker received a deep-fried sweet potato snack called *Imaro* from Kagoshima Prefecture.

Can anyone participate in *Furusato Nozei*?

Yes, any Japanese citizen can participate in *Furusato Nozei* by selecting a local municipality to support, making a donation, and receiving products or tax incentives in return.

How does the donation process work in *Furusato Nozei*?

The donation process involves selecting a municipality to support, donating an amount of money, and then receiving gifts or products in return. Donors can also enjoy tax breaks, making it an attractive system for both individuals and local governments.

What motivates people to participate in *Furusato Nozei*?

People may participate in *Furusato Nozei* for various reasons, including wanting to support specific regions, enjoying local products, or taking advantage of the tax incentives. The speaker chose Kagoshima Prefecture because they wanted to receive a sweet potato snack, despite not having a personal connection to the area.

Why is *Furusato Nozei* considered a 'win-win' system?

It is considered a win-win system because local governments receive valuable funds that help boost their economies, while donors enjoy products and tax breaks in return. Both parties benefit from the system without any losses.

What is the speaker's opinion about the *Furusato Nozei* system?

The speaker finds the *Furusato Nozei* system impressive and expresses pride in it as a Japanese person. They believe it is a beneficial system for both donors and local communities and wish more countries could adopt a similar model.

What are the financial aspects of *Furusato Nozei* donations?

In the system, if a donor gives ¥10,000 (around $100), they can receive products worth about ¥5,000-6,000. The amount donated is generally tax-deductible, making it a financially beneficial system for participants.

How does the speaker explain their personal motivation for donating to Kagoshima Prefecture?

The speaker admits that they did not have a personal connection to Kagoshima Prefecture but chose to donate because they were interested in receiving a local snack, *Imaro*, which is made from sweet potatoes—a food they enjoy.