The voucher programme gives ¥6,500 in spending value for a ¥5,000 purchase, a 30% premium. Applicants can request up to ten units, and eligibility extends to people visiting, working or studying in the ward as well as residents. Applications run through October 25; notifications are scheduled from November 2, when the voucher-use period begins. Vouchers can be used through March 31, 2027. [S01]

The launch also used two distinct, first-come incentives: 500 points for eligible download-and-registration users, capped at 60,000 people, and an additional 1,500 points for eligible Kita residents completing identity verification, capped at 30,000 people. The announced point awards show how the service separates broad app access from resident-specific benefits; they do not establish how many people claimed either incentive. [S01]

Tokyo’s Kita Ward launched HokuPay on October 5, opening its dedicated local payment app to users and starting applications for premium digital vouchers. Pocket Change , the Digital Garage group company operating the service, reported a launch ceremony and demonstration payment at Hokutopia that morning. [S01] The voucher programme gives ¥6,500 in spending value for a ¥5,000 purchase, a 30% premium. Applicants can request up to ten units, and eligibility extends to people visiting, working or studying in the ward as well as residents. Applications run through October 25; notifications are scheduled from November 2, when the voucher-use period begins. Vouchers can be used through March 31, 2027. [S01] The launch also used two distinct, first-come incentives: 500 points for eligible download-and-registration users, capped at 60,000 people, and an additional 1,500 points for eligible Kita residents completing identity verification, capped at 30,000 people. The announced point awards show how the service separates broad app access from resident-specific benefits; they do not establish how many people claimed either incentive. [S01]

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