Develop a major social implementation case study in Takamatsu City, Shikoku, using Cardano-based Dapps and DAOs to solve social problems in Japan, integrating real communities for impactful solutions.
Web3, including DAOs, is gaining attention in Japan as a solution to issues like the declining birthrate and aging population. However, neither the apps nor society are ready for such implementations.
Co proposers and Additional applicants
Co-creation DAO: [email protected]
Takamatsu City
NTT West Kagawa Branch :[email protected]
Kotoden Group :[email protected]
Kotohira Bus :[email protected]
Anabuki Collage:[email protected]
NPO ORGAN :
Scheme Verge：
Campfire :
Symons Co., Ltd.
Healthy Land: [email protected], [email protected]
Aruyaumu .inc :[email protected]
Kittamu General Incorporated association
givcal. inc
Ikisuke
Haruki Iijima
Kan Suzuki
Kazuto Sakai
Haruyuki Seki
Please describe your proposed solution.
【Background】
Japan boasts a rich and beautiful culture, tradition, and natural environment. However, due to a declining and aging population and changing lifestyles, not only is the economy deteriorating, but maintaining social services and infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult. The local communities, which have sustained these cultural and traditional treasures, are on the brink of collapse. This threatens the preservation of Japan's unique heritage and the sustainability of social services, reducing individual happiness and causing a loss of what can be a global pride, presenting a significant problem for the nation and the world.
In response, recognizing the potential of Web3 and DAOs, the Japanese government has revised laws to facilitate the creation of DAOs, allocated budgets, and made this a priority policy to address these social issues ahead of other countries. With such official endorsement and promotion, large corporations and local governments are expected to increasingly enter the Web3 market, rapidly expanding it in various forms. The legal revisions for DAO formation are particularly attracting global attention for their potential.
However, Cardano lacks significant social implementation use cases in Japan beyond Web3 games, NFTs, and Dapps. Without an impactful social implementation use case in Japan, it will be challenging to capture the Japanese market and, through Japan, the global market. Therefore, we aim to solve regional issues in Japan, starting with Takamatsu City, and collaborate with NTT West Japan Kagawa Branch, Kotoden Group, Kotohira Bus, Shodoshima Healthy Land Corporation, Anabuki Gakuen, and other well-established companies in Kagawa. We will also work with lawyers and experts who have led legal revisions and Web3-related policies for DAO formation. Together, we will create products, platforms, and DAOs for regional problem-solving and revitalization using Dapps and DAO knowledge on Cardano, ahead of other regions, companies, and DAOs.
We will work to revitalize community activities in Shikoku, build social services needed in an aging society, and conduct demonstration experiments at real events. By solving regional issues through the cooperation of local residents and related populations, we aim to make this a project that forms the basis of Japan's Web3, eventually linking up with the Japanese government and Japan DAO Association, with whom we already have strong connections. Through these efforts, we believe that the use of Cardano's Dapps, blockchain, and ADA will expand, leading to market share acquisition.
【Our Approach】
To achieve these goals, we will utilize both digital tools powered by Web3 technology and human networks/communities. While Cardano boasts excellent infrastructure and Dapps, expanding them into real-world applications requires user knowledge and interest. Additionally, without a certain number of users, the convenience of the tools does not improve, and they remain unused. Therefore, a system that ensures a minimum number of users is necessary.
We will onboard local community leaders who are already engaged in regional revitalization efforts, gather their input to create tools using Cardano Dapps, and build a system for appropriate use by local residents. We will then approach our goals using the DAO organizational structure to involve:
Our approach includes the following steps:
Step 1: To avoid the digital divide, onboard local leaders who are already working hard to revitalize the area to teach residents the advantages and usage of Web3, Discord, and apps, and create an online network (Discord/DAO).
Step 2: Highlight various initiatives led by leaders in different regions of Shikoku on the same media platform. Organize the "NEO Shikoku 88 Temples Festival" where tourists visiting the Setouchi region can experience these community efforts during one trip, created collaboratively by local leaders (based on the 20-year-old “Onpaku” real community model in Japan).
Step 3: Onboard more community members to the DAO through local leaders, creating various Cardano-based DAOs autonomously in Shikoku.
Step 4: While revitalizing the region, simultaneously conduct multiple business demonstration experiments using applications we provide during the festival in Step 2 and within the DAOs created in Step 3. This will embed a cooperative network using Cardano infrastructure, including DID, NFT, and tokens, in the region. To ensure the ease of use of Cardano, we will build in-app wallets to simplify Cardano-based app usage and incorporate DID from Cardano into apps that many people already use. This will create a seamless path for users to join DAOs and applications, with local leaders teaching residents how to use Discord and these applications.
【What We Will Develop】
DAO (Co-Create DAO)
We will establish a DAO on Cardano to advance this project. This DAO will connect local leaders, developers, intermediary organizations, municipalities, and sponsoring companies (Collaborative DAO).
This DAO will include team members who were involved in drafting the DAO legislation, as well as members who have made significant achievements in Japan's NFT, Web3, Web2 industries, and regional revitalization fields. It will serve as a hub for various DAOs being created across Japan, organizing events for regional revitalization and collaboration, and developing necessary tools for these DAOs.
The DAO will also provide consulting services to support the activities of new DAOs being created across Japan, assisting in the establishment of DAOs for new regions and companies.
In the next year, we will:
Additionally, the DAO will generate revenue through the sale and transaction fees of data collected from various DAOs, the development and construction of DAOs for governments and companies, and consulting services, aiming to be a sustainable central hub for all DAOs.
Decentralized Tourism and Regional Information Media
Collaborative DAO members will use NFT-based login authentication to freely upload regional event information on a media platform.
We will create this media platform in collaboration with NPO "ORGAN," which has successfully conducted various regional revitalization events ("Onpaku") across Japan. We will use the platform to host the "Shikoku 88 Temples Festival," creating use cases and promoting the implementation of Cardano NFTs in the region.
Additionally, if the proposal to Fund12 for Ticket Me is approved, we will provide a ticket issuance service for various regional tourism events during the project's execution period.
Mutual Assistance Application
An application designed to match people in need within the community with those who can offer help, incentivizing mutual assistance activities through tokens. This application aims to supplement regional social services through private mutual aid.
We will develop features to display events happening in the community, locations where mutual aid for child-rearing can be received, and places where community members gather, all within the app. By utilizing the geospatial data platform maintained by Takamatsu City (a map API that can integrate map information into the app), we can explore data integration possibilities with the various information available on the geospatial data platform. This will enhance the precision of mutual aid matching and provide a constant "place" to ensure the safety of interactions with unfamiliar individuals.
Additionally, those who assist with local issues will have their mutual aid activities recorded on their DID (Decentralized Identifier). This record will help in building a local trust score that can be integrated with Fintech services in the future. We aim to monetize by facilitating the sale of data extracted from these activities, redistributing the revenue to local residents participating in mutual aid and the DAO for regional revitalization. This approach will foster a self-sustaining, decentralized spread of mutual aid within the community.
NEO Shikoku 88 Temples Festival
An event where tourists can experience regional revitalization initiatives being undertaken in Shikoku all at once within a specified period. This festival will serve as a use case for applications and platforms developed in steps 1-3, as well as a venue for spreading these tools and conducting demonstration experiments.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.
Background
The Japanese government is actively promoting DAO and Web3 technologies. In response, on April 22, 2024, Japan became the first country to legally establish DAOs as formal organizations.
Qualitative Aspects
In this context, we have established Japan’s first LLC-type DAO organization using Cardano's governance technology in Shikoku (Collaborative DAO). This DAO collaborates with major organizations, such as Takamatsu City, NTT West Japan Kagawa Branch, Kotoden Group, Kotohira Bus, Shodoshima Healthy Land Corporation, Anabuki Gakuen, and Scheme Verge, the developer of the official app for the Setouchi Triennale, Japan's largest art festival. The initiative aims to spread Cardano-based DAO organizations throughout Shikoku in collaboration with local businesses and leaders for regional revitalization.
This project, involving a wide range of stakeholders including government bodies, large corporations, private businesses, and community leaders in a collaborative form, is the first of its kind in Japan, not just within the Cardano community. The social implementation of DAOs, platforms, and applications adopting Cardano by various stakeholders holds significant importance. It will publicize Cardano among businesses and government entities, contributing to the broader adoption of blockchain technology in Japan.
Quantitative Aspects
The following points highlight the significance of this project in increasing Cardano transactions:
Impact
This project represents a significant milestone in the social implementation of Cardano in Japan, with both qualitative and quantitative impacts. Its success could pave the way for the adoption of Cardano across Japan, having a profound influence on the overall Cardano ecosystem.
What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?
Our Collaborative Approach
The events, applications, and web platforms developed through our project will be co-created by individuals and companies who have already made significant contributions in the field of regional revitalization, based on their respective areas of expertise and what they can provide.
Key Collaborators and Their Contributions:
For the operation of DAOs and onboarding of communities through application demonstration experiments, we will collaborate mainly with:
Additionally, we will engage community managers and NFT issuers who have successfully run large Ethereum-based communities and have played significant roles in the Catalyst and Cardano communities.
By leveraging the expertise and perspectives from these accomplished fields, we aim to refine and promote our products and platforms using Web3 technology, making this project highly feasible.
Please see the following for detailed accomplishments of each collaborator.
Naoki Sakata
Hopin Co., Ltd., Co-Creation DAO, Rule Makers DAO
Career:
Achievements:
Co-Creation DAO
Established on April 22, 2024, as Japan’s first joint-stock company type DAO organization recognized under the new DAO legislation. This DAO comprises over 120 stakeholders, including members who contributed to the establishment of the DAO law from Rule Makers DAO, administrative members, local community leaders, companies with achievements in regional revitalization, Web3 development companies working to promote Web3 in Japan, and students.
NTT West Kagawa Branch
NTT West Japan's main business activities include regional telecommunications services in the western Japan area, ancillary services related to regional telecommunications, other necessary services to achieve the company's objectives, and telecommunications services and other businesses utilizing the equipment, technology, or employees involved in regional telecommunications and ancillary services in the western Japan area.
At the Kagawa Branch, in addition to its role as a social infrastructure ensuring communication networks for regional revitalization and disaster response, it contributes to the sustainable development of the region by leveraging cutting-edge ICT technologies such as the metaverse, AR/XR, and Web3.0.
Takamatsu City
Takamatsu City, with a population of approximately 420,000 and an area of about 376 km², boasts a rich living environment that includes a bustling city center and tranquil rural areas. The city is blessed with abundant natural beauty, facing the serene Seto Inland Sea with its many islands and extending south to the border of Tokushima Prefecture, encompassing seas, mountains, and rivers.
Takamatsu City is committed to promoting urban digitalization, striving to improve administrative services and enhance citizens' quality of life through the use of ICT. The city is working towards realizing a smart city by developing digital infrastructure, including the construction of a geospatial data platform as part of projects adopted under the Digital Rural City State Concept Promotion Grant (TYPE3). Additionally, the city is fostering collaboration with various regional stakeholders across multiple fields to promote the use of the geospatial data platform, aiming to create high-quality services.
Kotoden Group
Kotoden Group (Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co., Ltd.) is a transportation operator based in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, and a major public transportation provider in the region. The Kotoden Group has an annual sales volume of approximately 15 billion yen and operates a wide range of businesses, including railway, bus, real estate, and tourism. In the railway business, they operate three lines: Kotohira Line, Nagao Line, and Shido Line, playing a vital role in commuting and school transportation for local residents. The bus business complements the regional transportation network by operating city and intercity routes. The real estate business involves station area development and leasing, contributing to urban development. The tourism business plans tours and operates tourist facilities using local tourism resources, promoting regional tourism.
Yuri Kuriyama
CEO of Community Plus / Intersect Japan Hub / Co-Founder of Collaborative DAO
Secured funding from Catalyst Fund 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 to execute various projects. Former producer of children's programs such as "Oha Suta" and "Pokémon" at Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. Leveraged experience in producing to excel in corporate promotions. Has been involved in the blockchain industry since 2019, serving as Japan Market Head for JPG Store. Dedicated to promoting Cardano in the Japanese market through CNFTs.
Kotaro Motoshima:
Rule Makers DAO / Japan DAO Association / Co-Founder of Collaborative DAO
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005443297293)
Background:
Detailed Background:
Specialties:
Has experience in startups, technology (FinTech, web3, metaverse, data/personal information/AI, medical/pharmaceutical/biotech, R&D in general), and China. Provides legal support from both the startup/researcher side and the VC/larger company side, incorporating business consulting perspectives. Also involved in children's rights (including online counseling by lawyers), refugee support, and legal education.
Other Activities:
Involved in RuleMakersDAO, which provides policy proposals on social issues from a legal perspective through the Diet Members' Caucus. The "Nomad Visa" was included in the government's basic policy in 2023.
Yuki Oishi: Cardano Ambassador / Certified Public Accountant
Qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in 2020 and has extensive knowledge of various technical aspects of Cardano since becoming a Cardano Ambassador in 2019. Provides advice on creating tax and accounting systems utilizing these strengths.
Ikisuke
Has led popular NFT projects and DAO communities in Japan as a community manager.
Kan Suzuki:
Professor at Tokyo University of Public Policy / Specially Appointed Professor at Keio SFC
Graduated from Hitotsubashi University Faculty of Law and entered the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology as a bureaucrat. Later served as a member of the House of Councillors and Deputy Minister of Education, making significant contributions in education and science and technology policy. Focuses on education reform and promoting digital education. Founded the educational NPO "Atarashii Kyōiku no Kai" and is actively involved in social contribution activities. His research focuses on enhancing the transparency of policy-making processes and the effective implementation of public policies, disseminating knowledge through numerous books and papers. Serves as Chief Educational Officer for N High School and S High School, which have about 30,000 students, integrating with cutting-edge areas including the web3 domain.
Itto Sakai
Supports the autonomous activities of Collaborative DAO members through mentoring and cross-community coordination. Played a role in the Culture and Tourism High Added Value Research Team commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2020, conducting interviews and workshops with individuals involved in culture, tourism, and community development across Japan. Also served as a communication manager for the Tourism Agency's project promoting tourism town development using historical resources in fiscal year 2022.
Kotoden Group
[Website](<https://www.kotoden.co.jp/>)
Kotoden Group (Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Kotoden Bus Co., Ltd.) is a transportation company based in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, serving as a major public transportation provider in the region. Engages in a wide range of businesses, including railway, bus, taxi, real estate, and tourism. Operates three railway lines with 53 stations, playing a vital role in local commuting and tourism. Complements the regional transportation network with bus services, including local and tourist buses. Contributes to urban development through real estate activities, such as operating station buildings, parking lots, and developing and leasing areas around stations.
Kotohira Bus
[Website](<https://www.kotobus.com/>)
Kotohira Bus, based in Kagawa Prefecture, is a community-oriented bus company offering extensive services throughout the Shikoku region. Primarily focused on the tourism bus business, it significantly contributes to the regional economy, providing diverse transportation means, including tours around Shikoku and limousine bus services to Takamatsu Airport. Serves as a vital public transportation provider for local residents and aids regional revitalization through tourist attraction. Emphasizes social responsibility by introducing eco-friendly buses and ensuring thorough employee training for safe operations. Has been recognized for its close ties to the local community, transporting numerous tourists and participating in regional events.
Campfire
[Website](<https://camp-fire.jp/>)
Founded in 2011, CAMPFIRE Inc. operates a crowdfunding platform and has grown into Japan's largest crowdfunding platform under the leadership of CEO Kazuma Ieiri. The company offers a variety of services, including purchase-based crowdfunding, lending-based crowdfunding, and the subscription-based community platform "CAMPFIRE Community." It also provides region-specific crowdfunding services "CAMPFIRE×LOCAL" and the friend-funding app "polca." Since its launch, CAMPFIRE has exceeded 40 billion yen in transaction volume and over 4.6 million backers. In 2023, the company raised 1.06 billion yen, bringing its total funding to 8.72 billion yen. Additionally, it supports projects tackling social issues through "GoodMorning" and sustainable creator funding through "CAMPFIRE Fan Club," contributing to the revitalization of regions and industries.
Scheme Verge
[Website](<https://www.schemeverge.com/>)
Founded in 2015, scheme verge Inc. is an urban engineering company with the goal of "reinventing cities." The company designs, develops, and provides solutions for cities and transportation, particularly offering the "Horai" app for itinerary search and sea taxi reservations at tourist destinations. Its business scope includes urban regeneration, revitalizing shopping streets and tourist areas, and creating destinations on remote islands. Provides platforms that enable regional businesses to collect customer data and perform effective marketing based on that data. Utilizes data to enhance consumer experiences in the region and promote regional revitalization. Achievements include joint projects with Shimizu Corporation and implementing town development DX services at Takamatsu Airport, contributing to sustainable regional development. Has raised over 220 million yen through multiple funding rounds to continue expanding its business.
Symons Co., Ltd.
(<https://www.symons.co.jp/top.php>)
Symons operates the common point system "Symons Point." Aiming for regional revitalization and social contribution, the company provides database marketing and tourism CRM applications. For example, it can formulate marketing strategies by utilizing tourist behavior data. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, the company has promoted regional consumption through its point system, contributing to regional revitalization. It also works on creating sustainable community money by redirecting unused points to fund local activities.
Shodoshima Healthy Land Corporation
[Website](<https://shl-olive.co.jp/company>/)
Owns "Olive Forest," a farm on Shodoshima Island, and is involved in olive cultivation and product development. Engages in social contribution through olives, promoting local revitalization projects such as the "Millennium Olive Terrace," which offers wellness gardens and retreat spas, providing healing and health to visitors. Also runs the "Maze Town Art Project," which integrates local culture and art to attract tourists and showcase regional charm. Supports island life with businesses like LPG sales and food and beverage sales.
Alyawmu Inc.
[Website](<https://alyawmu.com/>)
Alyawmu Inc. combines regional revitalization and NFT (non-fungible token) business. Projects include combining hometown tax payments with NFTs, tourism with NFTs, and a community support team DAO, aiming to promote regional charm using digital technology and create continuously supported communities. Has successfully raised a total of 117 million yen through multiple funding rounds. Promotes regional revitalization using NFTs, partnering with municipalities such as Yoichi Town in Hokkaido, Taishi Town in Osaka, and Tottori City in Tottori Prefecture. The hometown tax NFT project contributes to increasing municipal tax revenues by offering NFTs as return gifts. Aims to solve regional issues like population decline and aging through new tourism industries leveraging regional culture and resources and building digital communities, supporting sustainable regional development by connecting digital technology with local communities.
Anabuki Gakuen
Anabuki Gakuen operates vocational schools based in Kagawa Prefecture, offering specialized education in various fields. Programs include healthcare, welfare, IT, business, and creative fields, providing practical curricula to cultivate immediate workforce-ready personnel. Recently, it has focused on Web3 technology, blockchain, NFTs, and decentralized applications (dApps), offering students opportunities to learn the latest technological trends and acquire skills for the digital economy. Provides real-world experience through industry-academia collaboration projects and internships, promoting sustainable education in partnership with local communities.
General Incorporated Association Kittamu & Givcal Inc.
Website Co-founded by Masaru Harada, involved in regional revitalization using blockchain in Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture. Strongly connected with the Cardano blockchain, has a strong local community, and engages in projects like traditional house renovation.
HLD Lab Inc.
Former President & COO of Square Enix, Inc. in the USA, and currently the President & CEO of HLD Lab Inc. Also serves as the Vice President of the General Incorporated Association Facility Office Service Consortium (FOSC), a director of the Japan Life Shift Association, a director of the Japan Game Culture Association, and the Chairman of the Japan Artist Aid Association.
What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?
Milestone 1: Milestone 1: 2024/07~2024/08
Market and Technology Research and Onboarding
In Milestone 1, we will produce the following deliverables:
To deliver these outputs, we will conduct the following activities:
Acceptance Criteria
The deliverables will be considered "accepted" if they meet the following criteria:
Evidence of Milestone Completion
To prove the completion of the milestone, we will submit the following:
Milestone 2: Milestone 2: 2024/08~2024/10
Development of a Website for Sharing Regional Events and Revitalization Projects
UI/UX Research for the Mutual Assistance Application
Preparation and Briefing Sessions for the Regional Co-Creation Event (Neo Shikoku 88 Festival)
In Milestone 2, we will produce the following deliverables:
To deliver these outputs, we will conduct the following activities:
Website Development and Cardano Wallet Connector:
UI/UX Design Prototype for Mutual Assistance Application:
Preparation for Co-Creation Event Briefing Sessions:
Execution of Briefing Sessions for the Regional Co-Creation Event:
Creation of Event Reports:
Acceptance Criteria
The deliverables will be considered "accepted" if they meet the following criteria:
Web Platform for Sharing Regional Events and Revitalization Projects:
The platform is completed and publicly accessible.
Prototype for the Mutual Assistance Application:
The prototype is completed and available for public interaction.
Evidence of Milestone Completion
To prove the completion of the milestone, we will submit the following:
Web Platform for Sharing Regional Events and Revitalization Projects:
The platform must be accessible, and the URL must be publicly shared.
Prototype for the Mutual Assistance Application:
The prototype must be available for public interaction and shared with the community.
Milestone 3: Milestone 3: 2024/10~2024/12
Implementation of Regional Revitalization Event Mutual Assistance Application UI/UX Design
In Milestone 3, we will produce the following deliverables:
To deliver these outputs, we will conduct the following activities:
Implementation of the Shikoku 88 Festival:
Event Report Documentation:
Collecting and Analyzing UI/UX Feedback:
UI/UX Design in Figma:
Acceptance Criteria
The deliverables will be considered "accepted" if they meet the following criteria:
Event Report:
UI/UX Design in Figma:
Evidence of Milestone Completion
To prove the completion of the milestone, we will submit the following:
Shikoku 88 Festival Event Report:
Figma Walkthrough Video:
Milestone 4: Milestone 4: 2024/12~2025/1
Back-End Development
In Milestone 4, we will produce the following deliverables:
To deliver these outputs, we will conduct the following activities:
Acceptance Criteria
The deliverables will be considered "accepted" if they meet the following criteria:
Evidence of Milestone Completion
To prove the completion of the milestone, we will submit the following:
Milestone 5: Milestone 5: 2025/2~2025/3
Front-End Development
In Milestone 5, we will produce the following deliverables:
To deliver these outputs, we will conduct the following activities:
Acceptance Criteria
The deliverables will be considered "accepted" if they meet the following criteria:
Evidence of Milestone Completion
To prove the completion of the milestone, we will submit the following:
Final Milestone: Final Milestone: April 2025 ~ July 2025
Demonstration Experiment in Takamatsu City and Close Out
In the final milestone, we will produce the following deliverables:
To deliver these outputs, we will conduct the following activities:
Acceptance Criteria
The deliverables will be considered "accepted" if they meet the following criteria:
Evidence of Milestone Completion
To prove the completion of the milestone, we will submit the following:
Who is in the project team and what are their roles?
Team Members
Naoki Sakata (Wahei): Collaborative DAO
Takamatsu City
NTT West Japan Kagawa Branch
Yuri Kuriyama: CEO of Community Plus / Intersect Japan Hub / Co-Founder of Collaborative DAO
Kotaro Motoshima: Rule Makers DAO / Japan DAO Association / Co-Founder of Collaborative DAO
Yuki Oishi: Cardano Ambassador / Certified Public Accountant
Ikisuke
Haruki Iijima
Kan Suzuki: Professor at the University of Tokyo Public Policy Graduate School / Specially Appointed Professor at Keio SFC
Itto Sakai
Kotoden Group
Kotohira Bus
Campfire
Scheme Verge
Symons
Utility provider onboarding and mutual aid app demonstrations Municipal onboarding and data-related project advisory
Shodoshima Healthy Land Corporation
Alyawmu Inc.
Anabuki Gakuen
General Incorporated Association Kittamu & Givcal Inc.
HLD Lab Inc.
Naoki Sakata
Hopin Co., Ltd., Co-Creation DAO, Rule Makers DAO
Career:
Achievements:
Co-Creation DAO
Established on April 22, 2024, as Japan’s first joint-stock company type DAO organization recognized under the new DAO legislation. This DAO comprises over 120 stakeholders, including members who contributed to the establishment of the DAO law from Rule Makers DAO, administrative members, local community leaders, companies with achievements in regional revitalization, Web3 development companies working to promote Web3 in Japan, and students.
NTT West Kagawa Branch
NTT West Japan's main business activities include regional telecommunications services in the western Japan area, ancillary services related to regional telecommunications, other necessary services to achieve the company's objectives, and telecommunications services and other businesses utilizing the equipment, technology, or employees involved in regional telecommunications and ancillary services in the western Japan area.
At the Kagawa Branch, in addition to its role as a social infrastructure ensuring communication networks for regional revitalization and disaster response, it contributes to the sustainable development of the region by leveraging cutting-edge ICT technologies such as the metaverse, AR/XR, and Web3.0.
Takamatsu City
Takamatsu City, with a population of approximately 420,000 and an area of about 376 km², boasts a rich living environment that includes a bustling city center and tranquil rural areas. The city is blessed with abundant natural beauty, facing the serene Seto Inland Sea with its many islands and extending south to the border of Tokushima Prefecture, encompassing seas, mountains, and rivers.
Takamatsu City is committed to promoting urban digitalization, striving to improve administrative services and enhance citizens' quality of life through the use of ICT. The city is working towards realizing a smart city by developing digital infrastructure, including the construction of a geospatial data platform as part of projects adopted under the Digital Rural City State Concept Promotion Grant (TYPE3). Additionally, the city is fostering collaboration with various regional stakeholders across multiple fields to promote the use of the geospatial data platform, aiming to create high-quality services.
Kotoden Group
Kotoden Group (Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co., Ltd.) is a transportation operator based in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, and a major public transportation provider in the region. The Kotoden Group has an annual sales volume of approximately 15 billion yen and operates a wide range of businesses, including railway, bus, real estate, and tourism. In the railway business, they operate three lines: Kotohira Line, Nagao Line, and Shido Line, playing a vital role in commuting and school transportation for local residents. The bus business complements the regional transportation network by operating city and intercity routes. The real estate business involves station area development and leasing, contributing to urban development. The tourism business plans tours and operates tourist facilities using local tourism resources, promoting regional tourism.
Yuri Kuriyama
CEO of Community Plus / Intersect Japan Hub / Co-Founder of Collaborative DAO
Secured funding from Catalyst Fund 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 to execute various projects. Former producer of children's programs such as "Oha Suta" and "Pokémon" at Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. Leveraged experience in producing to excel in corporate promotions. Has been involved in the blockchain industry since 2019, serving as Japan Market Head for JPG Store. Dedicated to promoting Cardano in the Japanese market through CNFTs.
Kotaro Motoshima:
Rule Makers DAO / Japan DAO Association / Co-Founder of Collaborative DAO
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005443297293)
Background:
Detailed Background:
Specialties:
Has experience in startups, technology (FinTech, web3, metaverse, data/personal information/AI, medical/pharmaceutical/biotech, R&D in general), and China. Provides legal support from both the startup/researcher side and the VC/larger company side, incorporating business consulting perspectives. Also involved in children's rights (including online counseling by lawyers), refugee support, and legal education.
Other Activities:
Involved in RuleMakersDAO, which provides policy proposals on social issues from a legal perspective through the Diet Members' Caucus. The "Nomad Visa" was included in the government's basic policy in 2023.
Yuki Oishi: Cardano Ambassador / Certified Public Accountant
Qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in 2020 and has extensive knowledge of various technical aspects of Cardano since becoming a Cardano Ambassador in 2019. Provides advice on creating tax and accounting systems utilizing these strengths.
Ikisuke
Has led popular NFT projects and DAO communities in Japan as a community manager.
Kan Suzuki:
Professor at Tokyo University of Public Policy / Specially Appointed Professor at Keio SFC
Graduated from Hitotsubashi University Faculty of Law and entered the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology as a bureaucrat. Later served as a member of the House of Councillors and Deputy Minister of Education, making significant contributions in education and science and technology policy. Focuses on education reform and promoting digital education. Founded the educational NPO "Atarashii Kyōiku no Kai" and is actively involved in social contribution activities. His research focuses on enhancing the transparency of policy-making processes and the effective implementation of public policies, disseminating knowledge through numerous books and papers. Serves as Chief Educational Officer for N High School and S High School, which have about 30,000 students, integrating with cutting-edge areas including the web3 domain.
Itto Sakai
Supports the autonomous activities of Collaborative DAO members through mentoring and cross-community coordination. Played a role in the Culture and Tourism High Added Value Research Team commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2020, conducting interviews and workshops with individuals involved in culture, tourism, and community development across Japan. Also served as a communication manager for the Tourism Agency's project promoting tourism town development using historical resources in fiscal year 2022.
Kotoden Group
[Website](<https://www.kotoden.co.jp/>)
Kotoden Group (Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Kotoden Bus Co., Ltd.) is a transportation company based in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, serving as a major public transportation provider in the region. Engages in a wide range of businesses, including railway, bus, taxi, real estate, and tourism. Operates three railway lines with 53 stations, playing a vital role in local commuting and tourism. Complements the regional transportation network with bus services, including local and tourist buses. Contributes to urban development through real estate activities, such as operating station buildings, parking lots, and developing and leasing areas around stations.
Kotohira Bus
[Website](<https://www.kotobus.com/>)
Kotohira Bus, based in Kagawa Prefecture, is a community-oriented bus company offering extensive services throughout the Shikoku region. Primarily focused on the tourism bus business, it significantly contributes to the regional economy, providing diverse transportation means, including tours around Shikoku and limousine bus services to Takamatsu Airport. Serves as a vital public transportation provider for local residents and aids regional revitalization through tourist attraction. Emphasizes social responsibility by introducing eco-friendly buses and ensuring thorough employee training for safe operations. Has been recognized for its close ties to the local community, transporting numerous tourists and participating in regional events.
Campfire
[Website](<https://camp-fire.jp/>)
Founded in 2011, CAMPFIRE Inc. operates a crowdfunding platform and has grown into Japan's largest crowdfunding platform under the leadership of CEO Kazuma Ieiri. The company offers a variety of services, including purchase-based crowdfunding, lending-based crowdfunding, and the subscription-based community platform "CAMPFIRE Community." It also provides region-specific crowdfunding services "CAMPFIRE×LOCAL" and the friend-funding app "polca." Since its launch, CAMPFIRE has exceeded 40 billion yen in transaction volume and over 4.6 million backers. In 2023, the company raised 1.06 billion yen, bringing its total funding to 8.72 billion yen. Additionally, it supports projects tackling social issues through "GoodMorning" and sustainable creator funding through "CAMPFIRE Fan Club," contributing to the revitalization of regions and industries.
Scheme Verge
[Website](<https://www.schemeverge.com/>)
Founded in 2015, scheme verge Inc. is an urban engineering company with the goal of "reinventing cities." The company designs, develops, and provides solutions for cities and transportation, particularly offering the "Horai" app for itinerary search and sea taxi reservations at tourist destinations. Its business scope includes urban regeneration, revitalizing shopping streets and tourist areas, and creating destinations on remote islands. Provides platforms that enable regional businesses to collect customer data and perform effective marketing based on that data. Utilizes data to enhance consumer experiences in the region and promote regional revitalization. Achievements include joint projects with Shimizu Corporation and implementing town development DX services at Takamatsu Airport, contributing to sustainable regional development. Has raised over 220 million yen through multiple funding rounds to continue expanding its business.
Symons Co., Ltd.
(<https://www.symons.co.jp/top.php>)
Symons operates the common point system "Symons Point." Aiming for regional revitalization and social contribution, the company provides database marketing and tourism CRM applications. For example, it can formulate marketing strategies by utilizing tourist behavior data. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, the company has promoted regional consumption through its point system, contributing to regional revitalization. It also works on creating sustainable community money by redirecting unused points to fund local activities.
Shodoshima Healthy Land Corporation
[Website](<https://shl-olive.co.jp/company>/)
Owns "Olive Forest," a farm on Shodoshima Island, and is involved in olive cultivation and product development. Engages in social contribution through olives, promoting local revitalization projects such as the "Millennium Olive Terrace," which offers wellness gardens and retreat spas, providing healing and health to visitors. Also runs the "Maze Town Art Project," which integrates local culture and art to attract tourists and showcase regional charm. Supports island life with businesses like LPG sales and food and beverage sales.
Alyawmu Inc.
[Website](<https://alyawmu.com/>)
Alyawmu Inc. combines regional revitalization and NFT (non-fungible token) business. Projects include combining hometown tax payments with NFTs, tourism with NFTs, and a community support team DAO, aiming to promote regional charm using digital technology and create continuously supported communities. Has successfully raised a total of 117 million yen through multiple funding rounds. Promotes regional revitalization using NFTs, partnering with municipalities such as Yoichi Town in Hokkaido, Taishi Town in Osaka, and Tottori City in Tottori Prefecture. The hometown tax NFT project contributes to increasing municipal tax revenues by offering NFTs as return gifts. Aims to solve regional issues like population decline and aging through new tourism industries leveraging regional culture and resources and building digital communities, supporting sustainable regional development by connecting digital technology with local communities.
Anabuki Gakuen
Anabuki Gakuen operates vocational schools based in Kagawa Prefecture, offering specialized education in various fields. Programs include healthcare, welfare, IT, business, and creative fields, providing practical curricula to cultivate immediate workforce-ready personnel. Recently, it has focused on Web3 technology, blockchain, NFTs, and decentralized applications (dApps), offering students opportunities to learn the latest technological trends and acquire skills for the digital economy. Provides real-world experience through industry-academia collaboration projects and internships, promoting sustainable education in partnership with local communities.
General Incorporated Association Kittamu & Givcal Inc.
Website Co-founded by Masaru Harada, involved in regional revitalization using blockchain in Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture. Strongly connected with the Cardano blockchain, has a strong local community, and engages in projects like traditional house renovation.
HLD Lab Inc.
Former President & COO of Square Enix, Inc. in the USA, and currently the President & CEO of HLD Lab Inc. Also serves as the Vice President of the General Incorporated Association Facility Office Service Consortium (FOSC), a director of the Japan Life Shift Association, a director of the Japan Game Culture Association, and the Chairman of the Japan Artist Aid Association.
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.
For detailed information on the budget and cost breakdown, please refer to the link provided below.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oR2wFjA6yNfDj8fXDQECvIKbH2VYvwz2RIV_m_f3Lz0/edit?usp=sharing
No dependencies.
How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?
First, the entire budget allocation for this project is calculated based on the average hourly rates for Web3 and the average hourly rates for each industry, along with the estimated time required for each necessary element. While the requested amount is quite substantial, this project will have a significant milestone and positive impact on the overall Cardano ecosystem for the following reasons:
Given that there are many companies and organizations in Japan actively looking to incorporate Web3 technologies, the effectiveness of our requested amount is justified considering the opportunity it creates for the social implementation of the Cardano blockchain.
