Yamato Town loses 600 million yen in Furusato Nozei donations due to high shipping costs

Yamato Town in Kumamoto Prefecture lost its Furusato Nozei status due to exceeding the 50% limit on fundraising costs. This resulted in a loss of approximately 600 million yen in donations. The town's fundraising costs, including item procurement and shipping, exceeded 50% of its total donations between October 2023 and September 2024. This violation of national regulations led to a two-year ban on receiving Furusato Nozei donations. Rising logistics costs, particularly in remote areas like Yamato Town, are cited as a primary reason for exceeding the spending limit. The national 50% rule does not account for varying regional transportation expenses.