Nurturing the Future While Savoring the Moment: The “New Hometown Tax Donation” Is Born.

What comes to mind first when you hear “Hometown Tax Donation”? Delicious-looking thank-you gifts, tax savings… Many people may have those kinds of images in mind. However, “Coco Furu,” a local consumption-based Hometown Tax Donation service operated by UNIVA Paycast Co., Ltd. (hereinafter UPC), began with a slightly different question: “Couldn’t donations serve as a catalyst to connect people with their communities?”—That question has now grown into a project supporting the future of children in Hokkaido.

In this article, we sat down with Yasuki Yano and Ami Saito, who are in charge of Coco Furu, to talk at length about everything from the service’s origins to its latest initiatives. Their pride in the group and their passion for the local community shine through in every word they speak. We hope this article will serve as a catalyst for all of you, our NAKAMA, to “support the future.”

At the end of the article, we’ll introduce “Hokkaido’s Top Recommended Thank-You Gifts You Absolutely Must Try,” handpicked by the two of them. Don’t miss it!

We want to turn the excitement of traveling into “support”

“We didn’t want it to end with just receiving a gift; we wanted to create a system where people and communities could stay connected forever,” says Yano, leader of “CocoFuru,” a local consumption-based hometown tax donation service.
This vision gave birth to Coco Furu. It all began when UPC, through discussions with local governments and regional businesses, realized how much potential was being wasted within the system. High commission fees charged by major portal sites, staff overwhelmed by the packaging and shipping of thank-you gifts… and above all, the fact that the focus was solely on the “sense of getting a good deal,” while the pure desire to “support this region!” was being overshadowed.

“Coco Furu’s greatest appeal is its system that allows meals and experiences enjoyed while traveling to count directly toward hometown tax donations, creating a ‘win-win-win’ situation for travelers, the region, and local businesses,” says Saito.

“At its core is our desire to make a brighter future for rural areas by leveraging UPC’s expertise in ‘payment’ technology and the ‘mini-app’ concept,” says Yano.

As the service expanded from “during the trip” to “before and after the trip”

Once we launched the service, we began receiving feedback from users and local governments: “We want to continue supporting the regions we fell in love with while traveling, even after we return home.”
In response to these requests, we added a delivery-based ordering feature, and CocoFuru evolved from a service focused solely on “during the trip” into a comprehensive service that allows users to maintain a connection with the region from “before the trip” through “after the trip.”

“We’re now able to offer the option to stay connected with a region you visited and fell in love with, even after you return home,” says Saito.

“It used to be just about ‘visiting a region to support it,’ but we’ve expanded the options to include ‘getting to know a region to support it’ and ‘supporting the region’s future’! Of course, even if you’ve never been to that region, as long as you have the desire to support it, that’s perfectly fine,” says Yano.

Ensuring that the “excitement of travel” doesn’t end as a fleeting memory but turns into long-lasting support—that is the “expansion of the connected population” that Coco Furu aims to achieve.

How the Group’s Bonds Took Root in Horokanai Town, Hokkaido

“The project in Hokkaido would never have been realized without UJP,” says Yano, and Saito nods vigorously in agreement.
UJP has been deeply involved in Horokanai Town’s future across three key areas—energy, work styles, and education—starting with “vertical double-sided solar panels.” The relationship of trust between UJP and Horokanai Town is said to be very strong; they were truly “partners of the town,” going far beyond mere business partners.

“UJP’s desire to revitalize the region, Horokanai Town’s desire to improve the town, and UPC’s desire to try new things together with the local government—all of these aspirations came together. We’ve been nurturing this relationship for three years now.” (Yano)
UPC’s payment technology and UJP’s regional network—combined as a group, they have created a truly one-of-a-kind initiative.

“I’m Donating Because I Want to Support Them”—A New Form of Hometown Tax Donation That Connects Children’s Futures

In July 2026, UPC, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Minna no Hokkaido 2100, launched the “Children, Students, and Youth Support Project” with the participation of Shibecha Town and Horokanai Town in Hokkaido. This is a “crowdfunding-style hometown tax” initiative that leverages the hometown tax system to collect donations from across the country to nurture the region’s next generation.
The donations collected will be used for three types of support.
・Support for Higher Education: Creating “educational opportunities” so that young people do not have to give up their dreams due to financial reasons
・Marriage Support: Reducing the burden of student loan repayment to foster a society where young people can plan their lives with hope
・Child-rearing support: Providing opportunities for experiences and learning that help all children reach their full potential
“Don’t donate just to get a thank-you gift—donate because you want to support this future.” Saito’s words perfectly encapsulate the essence of this project.

People can directly participate in solving social issues while enjoying the tax benefits of the Hometown Tax Donation program. This system is gaining momentum as an “accessible gateway to social contribution.”
“I want to spread this new form of the Hometown Tax Donation program,” says Saito, looking toward the future.

UJP contributes to the town through energy, work styles, and education, while Coco Furu connects the nation through donations—the initiatives of each group company are expanding not as isolated points, but as lines and a broader network. And Coco Furu is now right at the heart of this project.
“The bonds we’ve forged as a group and the efforts we’ve built up over three years in Hokkaido are shaping the children’s future. That makes me happy and proud,” says Yano.

Yano and Saito truly looked proud. This project will grow even larger with the support of each and every one of you, our NAKAMA. Why not join us in supporting Hokkaido’s future?

Our staff wholeheartedly recommends these special thank-you gifts!

We deliver Hokkaido’s finest local specialties to everyone who supports this project. Please enjoy the flavors of Hokkaido while helping to build a brighter future!

[Horokanai Town] The Ultimate “100% Buckwheat Soba” with an Explosive Aroma

Horokanai Town—the mecca of soba—takes pride in this 100% buckwheat soba made without any binders. With just one bite, a rich sweetness and aroma spread across your palate—a masterpiece you can only find here.
▶ Check out Horokanai Town’s famous soba!　https://horokanai-town-cf.cocofuru.jp/

[Shibecha Town] “Starry Sky Black Beef”—Exquisite Branded Meat That Melts in Your Mouth

A black beef brand originating from Shibecha Town, raised amidst Hokkaido’s vast natural landscapes. With its exquisite juiciness and rich, savory flavor, you’re sure to come back for more once you try it.
▶ Check out Shibecha Town’s melt-in-your-mouth meat!　https://shibecha-town-cf.cocofuru.jp/

▶ CocoFuru Crowdfunding Special Site　https://future-gate.cocofuru.jp/