Just because it's a person choosing to do this instead of a bureaucrat doesn't mean it's not redistribution. To use the example in the article, you're taking 40% of your taxes which would go to Tokyo and instead sending them to Gifu.

Redistribution of taxes, from areas of high densities to lower density prefectures.

Thanks - but isn't this more like "reallocation"? I thought redistribution was more about taking money from some people and giving it to (or spending it on) other people, of which taxation is one method.

You take money that would have ostensibly gone to the citizens of Tokyo and instead provide it to the citizens of town of your choice.

Reallocation and redistribution are synonymous here, one is just used in more headlines (probably because more people use "distribute" more regularly than "allocate"). Nothing different should be inferred by either word choice IMO.

I think that there is a bit of distinction.

Reallocate says that you are changing where the money is going

Redistribute says that you are collecting money then parceling it out.

It's redistribution because it takes tax income that would go to a wealthy area (Tokyo) and distributes it to poorer areas.

All taxation is redistribution. This is a novel tweak to taxation.

I think all tax payers wherever should get some form of choice in where their tax money goes even if it's only a small proportion of the total.

And importantly, even if they have a less than altruistic motivation for their decision. It's perfectly OK if someone gives to someone else because they benefit in some way.

It is tax deferment Taxpayers who contribute more than 2,000 yen can have their income tax and residence tax reduced. The amount deducted is the taxpayer's entire contribution minus 2,000 yen and set amount. To receive the subtraction, the taxpayer files a final tax return