Introducing payment methods for hometown tax donations that can be used in a variety of regions and environments

"Satofull" is a one-stop service that handles "Hometown Tax (donations to local areas)" to local governments such as cities, towns, villages, and prefectures, from application to payment. It accepts donations on behalf of local governments. Currently, 817 local governments have contracts with "Satofull" (as of the end of August 2020).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced that the total amount of donations nationwide in 2019 was approximately 487.5 billion yen, and the number of people using hometown tax donations is increasing day by day.
Satofull also offers a variety of features to help people experience hometown tax donations, such as introducing a ranking of popular thank-you gifts and a function to search for the hometown they want to support.

Please tell us the background to your consideration of the payment service.

Evaluate the reliability of various payment methods, security, business performance, etc.

When handling donations to local governments as hometown tax payments, the settlement business operator must be designated by the local government as a designated proxy payer.
We requested SB Payment Service (SBPS), which has a good reputation in terms of security and business performance, to provide payment services so that local governments can specify it with peace of mind.
Since the procedure for hometown tax payment is complicated and difficult for users, we wanted to prepare various payment methods to make it easier and easier to use.
Also, since the people who donate live in various regions and environments, I thought that various payment methods should be prepared.
SBPS has a wide variety of payment methods, which is one of the reasons why we decided to introduce it.

How was the introduction period and support after the introduction?

We also handle unique hometown tax payments on a tight schedule

With Satofull opening scheduled for October 31, 2014, we were on a tight schedule, so I contacted SBPS around the summer of 2014.
There were some unique responses unique to Furusato Nozei, such as the complicated certification of a designated agent payer and the preparation of payment agreements that take into account local financial regulations for handling public money, but we were able to respond quickly to SBPS. Thanks to that, we were able to open as planned.
In addition, the test environment was prepared immediately.
Even after the introduction, I called the SBPS sales representatives for individual consultations, and they responded immediately, which was very helpful.

Please tell us about the effects after the introduction.

Various payment methods reduce office work for local governments

Satofull is the first comprehensive hometown tax donation website to introduce Mobile Carrier Billing (SoftBank Mobile Wallet).
In addition, we also offer convenience store and Pay-easy payment, making this available to those who do not have a credit card.
By accepting a variety of payment methods, the number of cases where cash is brought directly via registered mail or other methods has decreased, which has been welcomed by local governments as it reduces administrative work.
Introducing various payment methods on their own is a huge undertaking for local governments, due to the need to enter into contracts with the businesses that provide each payment methods, but being able to introduce Credit Card Payment, CVS Payment, Pay-easy payments, and more through Satofull is a major benefit for local governments.
In particular, convenience store and Pay-easy payments have been used more than we had initially expected, accounting for 20-30% of the total donation amount. We were concerned about cancellation rates, but in reality, most users have completed their payments.

Do you have any payment functions or services you expect?

Expect a mechanism that can omit steps

We want to maintain the connection between the local community and those who donate, and we hope to use "points" as one way to achieve this.
Furthermore, I would like to see new solutions, such as a payment service that links member information, a system that eliminates steps for use, and collaboration that is unique to the SoftBank Group. In any case, I would like to see a system that is easy to use.

About the future of "Satofull"

Helping to revitalize the region

“Satofull” has a vision of creating connections between people in the region through hometown tax, and ultimately helping to revitalize the region.
We have started "Satofull" as a first step, but in the future, we would like to create projects to increase the non-resident population and projects to revitalize the region together with the region.

Message from SBPS Sales Representative

We are pleased to have been able to cooperate with the service that connects the region and the user by providing the settlement of "hometown tax payment" through "Satofull".
Going forward, we will continue to provide highly convenient payment services so that you can use “hometown tax payment” more easily.

SB Payment Service Corp.
Sales Headquarters
Sales Department 2, Section 1, Section Manager
Kimiyuki Nakamura