On July 20, the final salary payment was made in cash at the Aomori/Nishimeyamura government office.

The village had previously paid 44 salaries for the village staff in cash. The cash payment system for salaries will be abolished in July, and will be transferred to banks from August.

Nishimeya Village with a population of 1340 (as of June 1) is the smallest municipality in Aomori Prefecture. Located at the foot of the World Natural Heritage Shirakami Mountains, about 95% of the total area is forest. There is no convenience store in the village and there is one bank ATM. He said that on payday, there were many people who lined up at the bank.

Mayor Seki says, "It used to be customary without any problems, but we have made changes in consideration of efficiency and safety."

A male employee in her 20s said, "I think it will be easier than before, but I feel lonely when I lose the joy of getting a salary bag." A male employee in his 40s said, "It's a tradition in the so-called "good old days", but it's a fixed thing, so it can't be helped."

Sekimura says, "It's a shame that the invisible effects such as the sense of fulfillment and the sense of accomplishment that can be obtained by cash payment are impaired, but this is also the trend of the times."