Hyogo Prefecture opened a competition on September 15 to select an operator for its proposed premium digital-voucher programme. The new sourcing procedure follows the September 11 programme proposal and does not demonstrate an appointed provider.

The prefecture sets a JPY7.73 billion ceiling including taxes, of which JPY6.61 billion is the premium component. The specification plans JPY33.05 billion in total voucher face value. These figures describe different measures and should not be treated as an operator's revenue or completed card sales.

At the individual-unit level, the specification proposes JPY5,000 paid by a resident and a JPY1,250 public premium, producing JPY6,250 of spending value. The premium is 25% of the purchase price. These are proposed funding components, not completed purchases or an appointed operator’s earnings.

The data behind the story

Funding components of one proposed Hyogo voucher unit

Hyogo Prefecture, Japan; September 15, 2026 procurement specification, page 1.

JPY per proposed unit
Source
Hyogo original operator specification, page 1

Components add to JPY6,250 face value. Proposed terms remain subject to the supplementary budget and procurement conditions. No actual issuance, redemption or award is established.

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Funding components of one proposed Hyogo voucher unit (JPY per proposed unit)
CategoryJPY per proposed unit
Resident purchase payment5,000 JPY per proposed unit
Public premium1,250 JPY per proposed unit

The required work includes voucher system provision, issuance, sales, merchant settlement, recruitment, customer support, data management and programme evaluation. The specification calls for smartphone payments using QR codes, with merchant settlement at least twice monthly and no settlement transfer fees charged to participating merchants.

Proposals were due October 1 at 17:00 Japan time. The stated service term extends from contract signing through March 25, 2027.

The competition remains conditional on the supplementary budget being adopted. Hyogo says the scope and amount may change substantially, or the procurement and programme may be cancelled. The sourcing announcement therefore adds commercial delivery requirements while preserving the earlier proposal's status.