Rice from Kibichuo, Okayama Prefecture, may have exceeded the upper limit for procurement costs of return gifts (Kyodo News)

On the 9th, it was learned through interviews with the town and others that the town of Kibichuo in Okayama Prefecture had paid subsidies to producers in addition to the cost of procuring rice as a return gift for the 2024 hometown tax donation, and that the total amount exceeded the upper limit of procurement costs set by law. The subsidies were paid in light of the soaring price of rice.