Key Facts
• July 2025: Fukui City distributed $5000 yen rice vouchers to 23,000 households.
• Additional $3000 yen provided to single-parent households.
• Vouchers restricted to purchasing locally produced rice in city stores.
• Purpose: Support families, prevent rice consumption decline.
• 7 instances of resale confirmed, 6 completed transactions.
• Resale prices ranged from $3000 yen to $4000 yen.
• Fukui City reported violations to platforms requesting removal.
• Vouchers classified as non-transferable monetary equivalent.
• Total program budget: $1.5 billion yen.
• City urges exclusive voucher use for rice purchases.
Summary
Fukui City launched a $1.5 billion yen initiative in July 2025 to support families with children under 18 and local farmers by distributing rice purchase vouchers. Each household received $5000 yen, with an additional $3000 yen for single-parent families. The vouchers, restricted to local rice purchases, were found resold on online platforms at discounted prices of $3000 to $4000 yen. Despite a strict transfer ban, six out of seven reported listings had completed transactions. Fukui City classified the vouchers as monetary equivalents and requested their removal from resale platforms. Officials emphasized the vouchers’ intended purpose of aiding families and promoting local rice consumption.
