Message No One Left Behind DX ~Solving issues in depopulated areas~

Introducing Kawakami Village

Kawakami Village is nestled in the mountains of southeastern Nara prefecture, where 95% of the area is occupied by mountains and forests. Known as a "water source village" for its position in the highest headwaters of the Yoshino and Kino Rivers, it supplies a continuous supply of clean, fresh water to cities, towns, and villages throughout the prefecture.

Population: 1,205 (as of May 2024)

Elderly residents (65 years and above): 701

Ratio of elderly residents: 58%

Source: Kawakami Village website

MAP: Kawakami Village commercial facilities

Cashless solutions for depopulated areas

As an investor in a start-up fund managed by our Group member company Nanto Capital Partners Co., Ltd. and Kawakami Village, the Bank has started a "cashless demonstration experiment" in cooperation with KAERU Co., Ltd. in Kawakami Village involving a prepaid card service with a Mimamori function.

The card, which can be used to shop at the Kawakami Life-Go mobile supermarket, is linked to the cardholders' accounts at financial institutions, thus reducing the hassle of cash management by eliminating the need to travel to a distant bank ATM every time they make a purchase. This is just one way the Bank contributes as a regional financial institution to improving the convenience of residents' lives.

Roles played by the Nanto Bank Group

To provide cashless

access to elderly customers who do not have a financial institution or ATM nearby

To reduce the risk

involved in managing

cash at home

Kawakami Life engages in a variety of initiatives to communicate with local residents and support their lifestyles. We believe that this recent demonstration experiment conducted with Nanto Bank is consistent with our goals, since it is contributing to adding convenience to the lives of residents in an aging community with limited means of transportation. Looking ahead to the next generation, we are considering the introduction of smartphone payments as part of efforts to advance our cashless services further.

General Incorporated

Association Kawakami Life

Executive Director

Masaki Miyake

User's remarks

Even after the arrival of the mobile supermarket in our village, we had to visit a bank ATM in

a distant location to withdraw cash for our purchases. Now that I am able to conduct cashless transactions with a prepaid card, life is a lot easier, since I don't have to make so many trips to the ATM to get cash. Best of all, I no longer have to take money from my wallet every time I make a purchase. I hope to see this service continue in the future.

Kawakami Village

Mieko Kaminishi

User's remarks

I used to carry large amounts of cash for shopping and count the change to make sure I didn't receive too much. Now, all of that fuss has been eliminated. All I have to do is take out my card, which is a lot more convenient.

I think the change is good for both

parties, since the store staff are also freed from counting change and taking money in and out of the cash register.

Kawakami Village

Junko Nakahira