Hirakata City's Innovative Approach to Hometown Tax and Sustainable Food

In Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, a unique initiative is underway to reimagine the role of cicadas. The city government is transforming these familiar summer insects into a novel gift for taxpayers who contribute to the community through its "furusato nozei" hometown tax program. This autumn, donors will receive candy made from dried cicadas as a token of appreciation.

The motivation behind this unusual offering extends beyond mere novelty. It reflects a broader interest in exploring alternative food sources and supporting the revitalization of rural areas. The project's origins can be traced to a late July event where approximately 50 participants, including elementary school children and their parents, gathered in a local park to catch cicadas.

The event was conceived by Kazuki Shimizu, a graduate student who founded POI (Products of Innovation) in Nara city. Shimizu is passionate about promoting insects, like cicadas, as a nutritious food source that could benefit rural communities. He recognized Hirakata's abundance of greenery and parks as ideal habitats for various cicada species, including the "aburazemi" (large brown cicada).

With financial support from the Hirakata city government, Shimizu developed the cicada candy, which boasts a slightly nutty flavor. City officials also recognized the growing global interest in insect consumption as a potential solution to food insecurity, aligning with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. This led to the decision to incorporate the cicada candy into the hometown tax program's gift offerings.

During the cicada-catching event, Shimizu educated participants about the insect's nutritional benefits. A city official noted that the event aimed to encourage children to consider insects as a potential food source for the future. The cicada candy will be available starting in October, with the quantity offered determined by the donation amount. Shimizu hopes that the unusual gift will spark curiosity and generate interest in insect consumption and environmental issues.