Japan introduces furusato resident program to promote dual-region living
- Adam German
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
On March 8th, the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Japan’s government plans to launch a new program in fiscal 2026 aimed at encouraging urban residents to regularly visit and support rural communities. The initiative, called the “Furusato Resident Registration System,” will provide support for regional volunteer activities such as helping with farm work.
Photo by Soichiro Ito on Unsplash
Participants who take part in activities at least three times a year will be eligible for subsidies covering travel and accommodation when visiting rural areas. The program is designed to promote “dual-region living,” in which residents of major cities maintain regular ties with rural communities by visiting frequently.
The service is scheduled to launch during fiscal 2026 through a dedicated smartphone application. Users will be able to choose between two participation tiers - Premium and Basic - depending on how actively they engage with local communities.
Participants who register for the Premium course will receive various benefits. The government is considering subsidies for travel and lodging expenses as well as vouchers for the use of public facilities. Individual municipalities will determine the amount of financial support.
To qualify for these benefits, participants must engage in activities in their registered municipality at least three times per year. Expected activities include helping with agricultural harvests or carrying portable shrines during local festivals. Participants may register with up to three municipalities. Identity verification will be conducted using Japan’s My Number national ID card to prevent misuse.
The Basic course offers a simpler registration process requiring only minimal information, such as responses to optional surveys. Users can select areas of interest - such as local cuisine or entertainment facilities in specific regions - and receive related information. There is no limit on the number of municipalities that can be registered under this tier.
As part of its regional revitalization strategy, the government is placing increasing emphasis on people who take an interest in regional areas or visit them frequently. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications aims to attract 10 million users within the program’s first decade.
Further Reading:
Furusato Resident Registration System Outline (Japanese only)
Source:
Nikkei Shimbun (Japanese only; paywalled)
