KOCHI -- The Kochi Prefectural Government has launched a 30-million-yen (approx. $209,000) crowdfunding campaign using the hometown tax donation system to support Kochi United SC that was promoted to the third tier of the J-League professional football league this season.

The prefectural government will additionally invest an equal amount to the donation (up to 30 million yen) to aid the team, formally Kochi United Sports Club. The funds will be used for team strengthening and expedition expenses.

The crowdfunding campaign, which started April 25, targets individual donors and will run through July 23. Donors are eligible for tax breaks under the hometown tax donation system, which allows people to give money to a municipality of their choice to get tax credits. People who make a maximum 250,000 yen (about $1,740) donation to Kochi United are entitled to participate in an exhibition match with team manager and former Japan national team member Yutaka Akita and the coaches. The team aims to ultimately raise a total of 100 million yen ($696,000), including assistance by the Kochi Municipal Government through the corporate version of the hometown tax donation.

At a press conference held in the city of Kochi on April 24, Shihomi Yamamoto, president of the operator of Kochi United, called for donations, saying, "We are short of funds after the team was promoted to J3, with increased lodging costs for away games. We hope people across the country will assist us."

Manager Akita also urged for cooperation, stating, "We really appreciate the prefectural government's support, which is like an assist for a goal. Our players are practicing so hard every day. We want to aim for an upper division by receiving support."

(Japanese original by Satoshi Kobayashi, Kochi Bureau)