Key Facts
• December 26, 2025: Fuji City Mayor Yoshimasa Konagai announced rejection of rice coupons.
• Government proposed rice coupons as a measure against rising prices.
• Mayor criticized the policy, questioning its practicality and minister’s insistence.
• Fuji City allocated ¥22.52 billion for inflation countermeasures in its supplementary budget.
• Alternative support includes ¥5,000 digital coupons for all citizens starting March 2026.
• Additional measures: ¥20,000 per child (0–high school) and subsidies for energy-efficient appliances.
• Mayor emphasized swift implementation to support citizens effectively.
Summary
Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has decided not to adopt the Japanese government’s rice coupon initiative aimed at combating inflation. Mayor Yoshimasa Konagai criticized the policy, questioning its practicality and the minister’s insistence on its implementation. Instead, the city has allocated ¥22.52 billion in a supplementary budget for alternative measures, including ¥5,000 digital coupons for all citizens, ¥20,000 per child for families, and subsidies for energy-efficient appliances. The mayor emphasized the importance of swift and effective support for residents, with digital coupons set to be distributed by March 2026.
