Furusato Nozei: The 'Hometown Tax' Helping Families in Japan
A simple way to help fight child hunger in Japan.
Did you know that despite being the world’s fourth-largest economy, Japan faces a significant challenge—child hunger? Among member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Japan has one of the highest child poverty rates, with one in seven children living in poverty and nearly half of single-parent households falling below the poverty line.
But there is a way to help—a way that is simple, impactful, and available to both Japanese and non-Japanese residents of Japan. It’s called Furusato Nozei (hometown tax). This article will guide you through what Furusato Nozei is, why it matters, and how you can make a meaningful difference by supporting the Rice Donations for Single-Parent Families project.
What is Furusato Nozei?
Furusato Nozei, or "hometown tax," is a system introduced in 2008 that allows taxpayers to redirect a portion of their residential tax to a municipality of their choice. The term "furusato" means "hometown" in Japanese, reflecting the system's original intent to support communities where people grew up before moving to cities.
Who can participate?
Anyone paying residence taxes in Japan, including foreign residents, can participate in Furusato Nozei. If you’re a taxpayer in Japan, this program offers a chance to support causes you care about while fulfilling your tax obligations.
How does it work?
Typically, Furusato Nozei allows you to:
Choose a municipality and make a donation.
Receive a gift, often local products, from that municipality.
Deduct the donation amount (minus ¥2,000) from your next year’s residence tax.
The value of the gift cannot exceed 30% of your donation. Not all Furusato Nozei projects offer physical returns—some, like the Rice Donations for Single-Parent Families project, focus on creating social impact.
How Furusato Nozei can help fight child hunger
This project, based in Tsukubamirai City, Ibaraki Prefecture, uses Furusato Nozei donations to provide 5 kg of high-quality Koshihikari rice to single-parent families. Your contribution directly helps ensure children have access to nutritious meals.
Why Your Support Matters
Addressing Child Hunger: Child poverty in Japan is often hidden but deeply felt. Over one-third of children in single-parent households eat fewer than two meals a day when school lunches aren’t available. Your support helps change that.
Supporting Local Communities: Your donation supports both single-parent families and local farmers in Tsukubamirai City.
How to participate: A step-by-step guide
The Rice Donations for Single-Parent Families project is facilitated through the Furunavi platform. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Access the Donation Page
Visit the donation page: Rice Donations for Single-Parent Families.
Step 2: Choose Your Donation Amount
Even small donations make a big difference! For example:
¥3,000: Provides one 5 kg bag of rice to a single-parent family.
Larger donations can provide rice to multiple families.
Or, you can also choose the amount on the "gifts" tab.
Step 3: Select the “Proceed to Donation” (寄付申請へ進む) Option
You’ll see options for both Furunavi members and non-members.
For Furunavi Members: Proceed with your existing account.
For Non-Members: You can donate without creating an account or use your Amazon account.
Step 4: Complete Your Information
Enter the required details, including your name, address, and email. Here, if you choose not to sign up for a Furunavi membership, you will not be required to fill in any further information.
Step 5: Submit Payment
Confirm all the information and submit the form.
How Much of My Donation Goes Towards Rice?
For every ¥3,000 donated:
5 kg of rice is sent to a single-parent family.
The cost includes rice, transportation, packaging, and a platform fee (10-15%) for Furunavi, which connects donors with municipalities. The remaining balance goes directly towards purchasing and delivering rice.
Why no return gift?
The true return here is the knowledge that you’ve made a difference. However, as shown on the "gifts" tab, there are various donation amounts available. You can choose the “Donate to Project (No Return Gift)” option or opt for a donation plan that includes a rice farming experience in Tsukubamirai City.
Growing up in Japan, I wasn’t fully aware of the extent of poverty in my own country until I met Rionne McAvoy, director of The Ones Left Behind: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan. His work opened my eyes to the hidden struggles of single mothers and led me to question: Why is this happening? What support does the government provide?
Through this journey, I connected with Mayumi-san from Heartful Family, a support organization for single parents. I’ve since had the privilege of learning about and sharing their work, including their HIGH FIVE CHRISTMAS initiative, which delivered over 12,000 Christmas gifts to families in 2024 thanks to amazing volunteer "Elves."
In a society that often values conformity, single mothers face overwhelming challenges—not just poverty but also social stigma.
Having lived as a minority outside Japan, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of standing out—being the "nail that sticks out." Projects like the Rice Donations for Single-Parent Families remind me that even small acts of kindness can help build a stronger, more compassionate society.
Thank You for Caring
Thank you for taking the time to care about this cause. Let’s come together to support those who need it most.
