Minamiechizen Town in Japan announced a second issue of premium digital vouchers on September 25, adding 7,000 units through the Fuku App system. The allocation opened on October 5, and the town reported on October 7 that issuance had ended after reaching its planned limit. [S01][S02][S03]

Each unit combines a ¥2,000 customer charge with a ¥1,000 premium, creating ¥3,000 in spending value at participating local merchants. At the stated limit, the additional issue represents ¥21 million in voucher value, including ¥7 million in premium support. These totals are calculations from the published unit design, rather than evidence of money already spent in stores. [S02]

The data behind the story

Minamiechizen’s second issue combines customer value and premium

Allocation implied by 7,000 units with JPY2,000 customer value and a JPY1,000 premium each.

JPY million
Source
Original issuer or researcher evidence

Calculated programme allocation, not confirmed merchant redemptions or an economic-impact estimate. Components total JPY21 million face value. The town reported the planned issuance limit reached on October 7, but that does not disclose how much value has been spent. The five-unit personal cap remains shared across both rounds.

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Minamiechizen’s second issue combines customer value and premium (JPY million)
CategorySecond-issue allocation component
Customer-funded component14 JPY million
Premium component7 JPY million

The vouchers use Fukui Hapi Coin, the regional digital-value service accessed through Fuku App. Users add the town’s Minakoi wallet, charge it and scan a participating merchant’s QR code to pay. Funding methods include credit cards, Seven Bank ATMs and BankPay. The operator says people living outside Minamiechizen may also use the vouchers. [S01][S02]

The new allocation follows a first issue that began on July 17. A five-unit limit applies across both rounds together: someone who obtained all five units in the earlier round could not buy more in October. The second issue therefore expands the available pool without increasing that individual cap. [S01][S02]

The town says the programme draws on Japan’s temporary local grant for responding to higher prices. Participating shops must belong to the local acceptance network; merchant enrolment remains available through the regional platform. [S01]

Balances can be used until 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2027. Both the premium and the customer-funded portion expire if unused. The October 7 notice confirms the issuance limit was reached, but provides no redemption rate or assessment of the programme’s effect on local sales. [S03]