# Karatsu City Finances in Numbers: Ten Years of Revenue, Spending, Debt and Reserve Funds, and the 20 Municipalities of Saga

By Karatsu Farm & Food (Karatsu Data Bank) / HTML: https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/karatsu-finance-data.html / Published 2026-11-01
- Karatsu City expenditure (FY2024): JPY 86.88 bn. Revenue JPY 89.71 bn (ordinary account)
- Local bonds outstanding (end FY2024): JPY 85.68 bn. JPY 87.30 bn a year earlier
- Fiscal strength index (FY2024): 0.43. Highest in Saga: Genkai Town, 1.42

## Karatsu City's finances, in settlement figures

Karatsu City's ordinary account settlement for FY2024 (April 2024 to March 2025) was JPY 89.71 billion in revenue and JPY 86.88 billion in expenditure. Local taxes brought in JPY 12.92 billion (14.4% of revenue) and the local allocation tax from the national government JPY 20.09 billion (22.4%) ([Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)). This page sets out Karatsu City's revenue and spending, ten-year trends since FY2015, outstanding debt and reserve funds, and fiscal indicators for Saga's 20 municipalities, using the settlement cards published by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and by Karatsu City.

This page was compiled by Karatsu Farm & Food, a nonprofit in Karatsu, Saga, as part of the Karatsu Data Bank. It lists figures and statements from the sources without conclusions or evaluations. The cards are in thousand yen; we convert them to JPY billion and note every conversion, sum or reordering under the tables. English names for the Japanese budget categories are our translations. Karatsu's population trends are on [Karatsu City Population and Migration in Numbers](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/population-data.html).

| # | Source | JPY billion | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Local allocation tax | 20.09 | 22.4% |
| 2 | National treasury disbursements | 13.89 | 15.5% |
| 3 | Local taxes | 12.92 | 14.4% |
| 4 | Transfers from funds | 10.65 | 11.9% |
| 5 | Prefectural disbursements | 7.25 | 8.1% |
| 6 | Local bonds issued | 6.51 | 7.3% |
| 7 | Donations | 5.58 | 6.2% |
| 8 | Miscellaneous revenue | 4.68 | 5.2% |
| 9 | Local consumption tax grant | 3.01 | 3.4% |
|  | Other (not listed above) | 5.13 | 5.7% |
|  | Total revenue | 89.71 | 100.0% |

Note: FY2024 ordinary account revenue. Card values in thousand yen converted by us to JPY billion (two decimals) and sorted by size. Shares are from the card ("Other" is our calculation). Japanese category names are translated by us. Source: [Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)

## Revenue: where the money comes from (FY2024)

The largest source of FY2024 revenue was the local allocation tax at JPY 20.09 billion (22.4%), followed by national treasury disbursements JPY 13.89 billion (15.5%), local taxes JPY 12.92 billion (14.4%) and transfers from funds JPY 10.65 billion (11.9%). Prefectural disbursements were JPY 7.25 billion (8.1%) and new local bonds JPY 6.51 billion (7.3%) ([Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)).

Donations were JPY 5.58 billion, 6.2% of revenue; in FY2015 they were JPY 0.11 billion (trend table below). Karatsu's furusato nozei receipts are on [Donations and Furusato Nozei in Numbers](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/donation-furusato-data.html). Of the JPY 12.92 billion in municipal taxes, fixed asset tax was JPY 6.22 billion (48.2%) and municipal residents' tax JPY 5.18 billion (40.1%).

| # | Purpose | JPY billion | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welfare | 26.31 | 30.3% |
| 2 | General administration | 19.70 | 22.7% |
| 3 | Education | 9.57 | 11.0% |
| 4 | Debt service | 8.41 | 9.7% |
| 5 | Civil engineering | 5.87 | 6.8% |
| 6 | Public health and sanitation | 4.87 | 5.6% |
| 7 | Agriculture, forestry and fisheries | 3.33 | 3.8% |
| 8 | Disaster recovery | 3.11 | 3.6% |
| 9 | Fire services | 2.69 | 3.1% |
| 10 | Commerce and industry | 2.54 | 2.9% |
| 11 | Assembly | 0.33 | 0.4% |
| 12 | Other expenditure and labour | 0.15 | 0.2% |
|  | Total expenditure | 86.88 | 100.0% |

Note: FY2024 expenditure by purpose. "Other expenditure and labour" combines two items (our sum and share). Source: [Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)

## Expenditure by purpose (FY2024)

Welfare (minsei-hi) was the largest item at JPY 26.31 billion, 30.3% of expenditure, followed by general administration JPY 19.70 billion (22.7%), education JPY 9.57 billion (11.0%) and debt service JPY 8.41 billion (9.7%). Agriculture, forestry and fisheries took JPY 3.33 billion (3.8%) and commerce and industry JPY 2.54 billion (2.9%) ([Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)).

| Type | JPY billion | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | 11.17 | 12.9% |
| Social assistance | 17.81 | 20.5% |
| Debt service | 8.41 | 9.7% |
| (Mandatory expenses, total) | 37.38 | 43.0% |
| Goods and services | 14.46 | 16.6% |
| Subsidies and grants | 7.29 | 8.4% |
| Transfers to other accounts | 5.60 | 6.4% |
| Contributions to funds | 6.16 | 7.1% |
| Investments and loans | 1.34 | 1.5% |
| Maintenance and repair | 0.28 | 0.3% |
| Investment expenses | 14.38 | 16.5% |
| of which ordinary construction | 11.27 | 13.0% |
| of which disaster recovery | 3.11 | 3.6% |

Note: FY2024 expenditure by type. Mandatory expenses are personnel, social assistance and debt service combined. Source: [Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)

## Expenditure by type (FY2024)

Social assistance was JPY 17.81 billion (20.5%), personnel JPY 11.17 billion (12.9%) and debt service JPY 8.41 billion (9.7%); together these mandatory expenses came to JPY 37.38 billion, 43.0% of expenditure. Investment expenses were JPY 14.38 billion (16.5%), of which ordinary construction JPY 11.27 billion and disaster recovery JPY 3.11 billion ([Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)).

| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenditure | Local taxes | Local allocation tax | Donations | Local bonds outstanding (year end) | Reserve funds (year end) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2015 | 71.10 | 69.70 | 12.27 | 21.49 | 0.11 | 80.62 | 15.44 |
| FY2016 | 77.28 | 75.78 | 12.50 | 20.80 | 1.94 | 85.10 | 14.54 |
| FY2017 | 70.64 | 69.15 | 12.68 | 19.98 | 4.39 | 84.28 | 14.07 |
| FY2018 | 74.02 | 73.12 | 12.57 | 19.13 | 3.64 | 85.09 | 14.27 |
| FY2019 | 70.95 | 69.79 | 12.81 | 18.87 | 3.52 | 84.59 | 12.77 |
| FY2020 | 90.65 | 88.99 | 12.81 | 18.22 | 4.44 | 84.54 | 15.73 |
| FY2021 | 88.17 | 86.01 | 12.74 | 19.89 | 5.12 | 88.65 | 18.86 |
| FY2022 | 86.13 | 83.36 | 13.11 | 19.50 | 5.41 | 87.62 | 22.33 |
| FY2023 | 85.82 | 84.42 | 13.20 | 19.67 | 5.41 | 87.30 | 24.08 |
| FY2024 | 89.71 | 86.88 | 12.92 | 20.09 | 5.58 | 85.68 | 19.99 |

Note: JPY billion (converted by us from thousand yen). Reserve funds = fiscal adjustment + debt reduction + special purpose funds (our sum). Japanese fiscal years run April to March (FY2024 = April 2024 to March 2025). Each year uses that year's own card: FY2023 from the MIC settlement status card for Saga, other years from Karatsu City's cards. Sources: [Karatsu City settlement cards](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/page/2659.html), [MIC FY2023 cards (Saga)](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000999001.pdf)

## Ten-year trends: revenue, expenditure, debt and funds

From FY2015 to FY2024, revenue went from JPY 71.10 billion to JPY 89.71 billion, local taxes from JPY 12.27 billion to JPY 12.92 billion, and donations from JPY 0.11 billion to JPY 5.58 billion. The local allocation tax went from JPY 21.49 billion to JPY 20.09 billion. Outstanding local bonds at year end went from JPY 80.62 billion to JPY 85.68 billion, and the three reserve funds from JPY 15.44 billion to JPY 19.99 billion ([Karatsu City](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/page/2659.html), [MIC](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000999001.pdf)).

In FY2020, subsidies and grants by type were JPY 19.41 billion (21.8% of expenditure), against JPY 3.79 billion in FY2019 and JPY 7.28 billion in FY2021 ([FY2020 card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/4486.pdf)). The fiscal adjustment fund stood at JPY 1.89 billion at the end of FY2024, down JPY 1.72 billion from JPY 3.60 billion a year earlier; JPY 2.12 billion was drawn from reserves that year ([Karatsu City FY2024 settlement card](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf)).

| Fiscal year | Fiscal strength index | Current balance ratio | Real debt service ratio | Future burden ratio | Fiscal adjustment fund | Debt reduction fund | Special purpose funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2015 | 0.42 | 88.0% | 15.2% | 128.2% | 3.80 | 0.64 | 11.00 |
| FY2016 | 0.42 | 90.7% | 14.1% | 130.8% | 3.01 | 0.63 | 10.90 |
| FY2017 | 0.42 | 91.2% | 13.5% | 109.9% | 2.55 | 0.52 | 11.00 |
| FY2018 | 0.42 | 91.7% | 13.0% | 108.1% | 2.05 | 0.51 | 11.70 |
| FY2019 | 0.42 | 92.7% | 12.3% | 115.8% | 1.05 | 0.47 | 11.25 |
| FY2020 | 0.43 | 90.4% | 11.9% | 112.7% | 1.14 | 0.43 | 14.16 |
| FY2021 | 0.42 | 85.2% | 11.7% | 115.2% | 3.12 | 0.40 | 15.34 |
| FY2022 | 0.43 | 88.0% | 12.6% | 114.4% | 3.31 | 0.40 | 18.62 |
| FY2023 | 0.43 | 89.3% | 13.5% | 111.1% | 3.60 | 0.75 | 19.73 |
| FY2024 | 0.43 | 89.7% | 14.3% | 117.5% | 1.89 | 0.84 | 17.26 |

Note: Funds in JPY billion at year end (converted by us). The current balance ratio is the card's main figure. Sources as above

## Fiscal indicators over ten years

The fiscal strength index stayed between 0.42 and 0.43. The real debt service ratio fell from 15.2% in FY2015 to 11.7% in FY2021 and was 14.3% in FY2024. The future burden ratio peaked at 130.8% in FY2016 and was 117.5% in FY2024 ([Karatsu City](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/page/2659.html)).

MIC defines the fiscal strength index as basic fiscal revenue divided by basic fiscal needs, averaged over three years, and the current balance ratio as the share of recurring general revenue (local taxes, ordinary allocation tax and so on) spent on recurring costs such as personnel, social assistance and debt service. Under the Act on Assurance of Sound Financial Status of Local Governments, the early warning threshold for municipalities is 25% for the real debt service ratio and 350% for the future burden ratio (excluding designated cities) ([MIC, Explanation of indicators](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001044525.pdf)).

| Municipality | Population | Expenditure (JPY bn) | Fiscal strength index | Current balance ratio | Real debt service ratio | Future burden ratio | Local bonds (JPY bn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saga | 226,481 | 116.75 | 0.63 | 93.4% | 2.4% | - | 87.32 |
| Karatsu | 113,890 | 86.88 | 0.43 | 89.7% | 14.3% | 117.5% | 85.68 |
| Tosu | 74,529 | 33.54 | 0.91 | 87.8% | 0.8% | - | 22.98 |
| Taku | 17,604 | 17.66 | 0.35 | 92.7% | 12.8% | - | 14.60 |
| Imari | 51,664 | 36.15 | 0.59 | 90.7% | 7.6% | 30.6% | 22.56 |
| Takeo | 46,972 | 28.33 | 0.49 | 97.1% | 11.2% | - | 24.66 |
| Kashima | 27,242 | 16.99 | 0.47 | 94.1% | 9.7% | 98.4% | 13.33 |
| Ogi | 44,063 | 25.08 | 0.42 | 94.9% | 9.9% | - | 17.56 |
| Ureshino | 24,446 | 20.74 | 0.39 | 95.5% | 8.2% | - | 10.01 |
| Kanzaki | 30,185 | 20.64 | 0.43 | 94.1% | 9.6% | 36.7% | 17.34 |
| Yoshinogari | 16,162 | 13.49 | 0.52 | 90.0% | 9.8% | - | 6.57 |
| Kiyama | 17,565 | 9.89 | 0.63 | 89.7% | 6.3% | - | 5.73 |
| Kamimine | 9,870 | 11.05 | 0.52 | 88.0% | 6.1% | - | 2.49 |
| Miyaki | 25,773 | 23.22 | 0.42 | 98.5% | 9.8% | - | 13.56 |
| Genkai | 4,825 | 10.51 | 1.42 | 83.0% | 1.3% | - | - |
| Arita | 18,539 | 14.48 | 0.35 | 95.1% | 8.9% | - | 10.25 |
| Omachi | 5,941 | 4.83 | 0.29 | 90.2% | 7.2% | - | 4.25 |
| Kohoku | 9,617 | 7.21 | 0.38 | 83.8% | 12.1% | - | 4.49 |
| Shiroishi | 21,010 | 16.80 | 0.33 | 93.5% | 10.9% | - | 13.81 |
| Tara | 7,874 | 7.17 | 0.26 | 92.0% | 6.5% | - | 4.19 |

Note: FY2024. Population is the resident register on 1 January 2025. "-" marks cells with no figure on the card (Genkai's local bonds; the future burden ratio of 16 of the 20 municipalities). Source: [MIC FY2024 municipal settlement cards, Saga (Excel)](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001064027.xlsx)

## Saga's 20 municipalities compared (FY2024)

On MIC's FY2024 cards, the fiscal strength index of Saga's 20 municipalities is highest in Genkai Town (1.42), Tosu City (0.91) and Saga City and Kiyama Town (0.63); Karatsu is 0.43 and Tara Town lowest at 0.26. Karatsu's real debt service ratio of 14.3% is the highest of the 20. Four cities show a future burden ratio: Karatsu 117.5%, Kashima 98.4%, Kanzaki 36.7% and Imari 30.6% (the other 16 show "-"). Outstanding local bonds are largest in Saga City (JPY 87.32 billion) and Karatsu (JPY 85.68 billion) ([MIC](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001064027.xlsx)).

Dividing Karatsu's FY2024 expenditure of JPY 86.88 billion by its resident register population of 113,890 (1 January 2025) gives about JPY 763,000 per person (our calculation).

## FAQ

### Q1. How large is Karatsu City's annual budget (settlement)?

In FY2024 the ordinary account settlement was JPY 89.71 billion in revenue and JPY 86.88 billion in expenditure (Karatsu City settlement card).

### Q2. What is Karatsu City's fiscal strength index?

0.43 in FY2024. Among Saga's 20 municipalities the highest are Genkai Town (1.42), Tosu City (0.91) and Saga City and Kiyama Town (0.63); the lowest is Tara Town (0.26) (MIC settlement cards).

### Q3. How much local bond debt does Karatsu City have?

Outstanding local bonds were JPY 85.68 billion at the end of FY2024, down JPY 1.62 billion from JPY 87.30 billion a year earlier. At the end of FY2015 the figure was JPY 80.62 billion (Karatsu City settlement cards).

### Q4. How much does Karatsu City hold in reserve funds?

At the end of FY2024: fiscal adjustment fund JPY 1.89 billion, debt reduction fund JPY 0.84 billion and special purpose funds JPY 17.26 billion, JPY 19.99 billion in total (Karatsu City settlement card).

### Q5. What does Karatsu City spend the most on?

By purpose, welfare (minsei-hi) is the largest at JPY 26.31 billion, 30.3% of expenditure, followed by general administration JPY 19.70 billion (22.7%) and education JPY 9.57 billion (11.0%) (FY2024).

## Sources

| Source | Publisher | Date | URL | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement cards, FY2007 to FY2024 (in Japanese) | Karatsu City | updated 2026-03-31 | [https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/page/2659.html](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/page/2659.html) | 2026-11-01 |
| FY2024 settlement card | Karatsu City | 2026-03 | [https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf](https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/24136.pdf) | 2026-11-01 |
| FY2023 settlement status cards, Saga | MIC | not stated | [https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000999001.pdf](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000999001.pdf) | 2026-11-01 |
| FY2024 municipal settlement cards (PDF and Excel) | MIC | not stated | [https://www.soumu.go.jp/iken/zaisei/card-25.html](https://www.soumu.go.jp/iken/zaisei/card-25.html) | 2026-11-01 |
| FY2024 municipal settlement cards, Saga (Excel) | MIC | not stated | [https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001064027.xlsx](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001064027.xlsx) | 2026-11-01 |
| Explanation of indicators | MIC | not stated | [https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001044525.pdf](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001044525.pdf) | 2026-11-01 |

## Where sources differ

Some figures in the "previous year" column of a card differ slightly from that year's own card. For example, special purpose funds for FY2020 are JPY 14,160,695 thousand on the FY2020 card and JPY 14,162,719 thousand in the previous-year column of the FY2021 card; FY2016 shows the same kind of gap (10,903,152 and 10,909,875). This page uses each year's own card.

## What this page does not cover

This page covers the ordinary account only. It does not cover special accounts or public enterprise accounts such as national health insurance, sewerage and water supply, budgets (initial or supplementary), the cost of individual projects, or any evaluation of the city's finances or comparison of merit with other cities. It does not cover our own projects.

## Citing this page and enquiries

To cite these figures, or to ask about finding local data, use our [contact page](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/contact.html) or [info@karatsu-f-f.com](mailto:info@karatsu-f-f.com).

## About this page

By Hiroaki Kojima (Vice Director, [Karatsu Farm & Food](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/index.html)) / Contact: [info@karatsu-f-f.com](mailto:info@karatsu-f-f.com) ([contact page](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/contact.html)) / Published 1 November 2026 / Markdown: [karatsu-finance-data.md](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/karatsu-finance-data.md)

## Related links

- [Karatsu Data Bank](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/data-bank.html)
- [Karatsu City Population and Migration in Numbers](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/population-data.html)
- [Donations and Furusato Nozei in Numbers](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/donation-furusato-data.html)
- [Tourism in Numbers](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/tourism-data.html)
- [Islands in Numbers](https://karatsu-f-f.com/en/island-data.html)
- [日本語版](https://karatsu-f-f.com/karatsu-finance-data.html)