The City of Yokohama offers business event organizers opportunities to support local activities that promote solutions to social issues related to urban development in Yokohama. Event organizers can contribute in a meaningful way to efforts toward sustainability in the local community by selecting specific projects and uses and making donations through Yokohama’s furusato nozei (local tax donation) program. Furusato nozei was established as a regional regeneration system that allows people to choose the municipality they wish to support via tax donations. Through the program funds are donated to prefectures, cities, wards, towns and villages to promote regional development.

※For international conference organizers, the local organizing committee of a given event can easily apply for the furusato nozei program and contribute to local initiatives.

1Protect the Environment!

Yokohama City Environmental Conservation Fund

In Yokohama, many citizens, companies, and educational institutions are engaged in environmental initiatives of various kinds.

Examples of donation use:Provision of lectures on the environment and awards for environmental activities

2Preserve Water Sources!

Yokohama City Water Furusato Doshi Forest Fund

The City of Yokohama, the birthplace of Japan’s modern water supply, has purchased a mountain forest in Doshi Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, and maintains it as a forest water source, or watershed. Due to a lack of workers and other factors, however, the forest is not well managed, and there are concerns that the ability of the forest to function as a watershed is declining. With the cooperation of citizen volunteers, the Doshi Village private forest is now being maintained in cooperation with Yokohama to protect the quality of the forest’s water.

Examples of donation use:Support for private forest conservation activities using citizen volunteers

3Preserve Forest Areas!

Yokohama City Cooperative Forest Fund

Although Yokohama is a large metropolis, it retains a lush green environment. We are engaged in activities to preserve the small-scale woodlands that remain in the city.

Examples of donation use:Support for conservation activities in small wooded areas through collaboration between citizens and government

4Protect Historical Buildings!

Historic Landscape Preservation and Utilization Project

The City of Yokohama has established the Yokohama City Planning Outline for Protecting History in its effort to preserve and utilize valuable historical buildings, including modern architecture, western-style houses, and old private homes.

Examples of donation use:Grants for the continued use of historic buildings, including in city development, and installation of signs introducing historic buildings

5Create Wellbeing Spaces!

Healthy Road Development Promotion Project

We are engaged in activities that improve quality of life in Yokohama, creating a place of well-being and reduced stress, which can help extend people’s life expectancy. We strive to create a vibrant Yokohama where people can live a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.

Examples of donation use:Information boards, distance markers, benches, sidewalks, flowers and trees, and other improvements to the pedestrian environment