Photo/Illutration The famed "floating" torii gate of Itsukushimajinja shrine is a symbol of Miyajima island in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

HATSUKAICHI, Hiroshima Prefecture--Taro Matsumoto campaigned in the mayoral race here on a pledge to institute an entrance tax for visitors to Miyajima island, home to Itsukushimajinja shrine, a World Heritage site.

The 50-year-old former city assembly member won the election on Oct. 20 over a former vice mayor who was reluctant to support such a new tax.

Matsumoto, who took office on Nov. 3 for his first term as mayor, is determined to fulfill his campaign promise.

Matsumoto told reporters a day after the election that he aims to introduce the tax in 2021 to fund infrastructure improvements to the increasingly popular tourist attraction.

“The island needs maintenance and repair work, including placing power lines underground and repairing roads," he said. "I'm focused on introducing the tax as a stable source of income.”

He added that he believes that an appropriate amount per visitor would be 100 yen (93 cents).

More than 4.3 million people visited Miyajima island last year, up about 1 million from 10 years earlier.

However, Matsumoto faces some local opposition and a full-fledged discussion as the city has twice given up plans to enact an entrance tax.

Matsumoto didn't have the overwhelming support of the populace at the ballot box. He totaled 21,896 votes, 906 more than the former vice mayor.

In 2008 and 2015, the Hatsukaichi city government considered imposing the entrance tax to improve the island's infrastructure.

A committee set up by the city discussed methods for collecting the tax, such as by adding it to fees for ships taking visitors to Miyajima island and entrance fees for tourist facilities on the island.

However, the city abandoned the proposal both times, with experts pointing out the extra costs for collecting the tax and islanders’ concerns about the taxation.

One woman who lives on the island says, “(The tax) won’t bring any positive benefits.”

Opinions are divided among city assembly members as well.

Currently, a 100-yen tax is collected from visitors to villages of Izena, Iheya, Tokashiki and Zamami, which are all located on islands in Okinawa Prefecture, according to the internal affairs ministry. The tax is collected under the name of an "environment cooperation tax" or "Churashima island tax."