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KDDI announced "αU (Alpha U)" as a metaverse/Web3 service in March last year. As KDDI's efforts are expected to accelerate in the future, we asked Shunpei Tatebayashi, the company's Web3 Promotion Department Manager, about the current state of the industry.
How do you see the current Web3.0 field?
Shunpei Tatebayashi (hereinafter, Tatebayashi): In March 2023, KDDI launched the metaverse/Web3 service "αU" to support the new generation that moves between reality and virtuality without any boundaries, and to create a world where anyone can become a creator. In addition to metaverse-related services such as "αU meta verse," we also provide the cryptocurrency wallet "αU wallet" and the NFT marketplace "αU market" as web3 services that utilize blockchain.
We see three social phenomena that are becoming apparent as a trend toward Web3.0: "1) Fundraising for startups and others using tokens," "2) The rise of fandom and creator economy," and "3) The possibility of new IDs and economic spheres." As an existing business operator, these changes are both a cause for concern and a major attraction.
On the other hand, we recognize that customers still feel uneasy, scared, and confused about this area, and we see solving this as a challenge from the business operator's perspective. In addition, the establishment of rules is also important in promoting the entry of companies, and it is necessary to create an environment in which the public and private sectors can work together to compete globally.
What kind of appeal do you want to deliver through your company's projects and services, and what do you want to achieve?
Tatebayashi: KDDI's goal is to develop services that are easy to understand even for those who are not familiar with blockchain and crypto assets, while maintaining the novelty of Web 3.0. Web 3.0 services have many attractions, but they also have unique difficulties that are not found in traditional Internet services.
As a use case, we see the major attraction as being that it makes it possible to build an environment in which communities can run on their own. For example, we support the spread of new ways of interacting with companies and local governments and consumers, the creation of economic spheres in communities, and new initiatives in NFT projects linked to the real world.
In the future, in order to allow more people to experience Web 3.0 services and provide new experience value, we will particularly promote "① Promotion of the creator economy," "② Supporting the spread of crypto assets and tokens," and "③ Collaboration with various companies and support for their entry."
KDDI will provide the systems and know-how that it has used in-house to external parties, create an environment where customers can safely and securely experience the world of Web 3.0, support companies' entry into Web 3.0, and support the development of the entire industry. Through these activities, KDDI will continue to work to spread Web 3.0 and realize a more convenient and enjoyable society through it.
◉ Shunpei Tatebayashi
Director of Web 3 Promotion, KDDI Corporation
Joined KDDI Corporation in 2006 and was in charge of network design for the mobile communications business. As a group leader since 2017, he has been in charge of alliances and new businesses in the fields of sports, entertainment, and XR. In 2021, he was promoted as Deputy General Manager of the Business Development Department, including the establishment of a joint venture in the mobility field. In 2022, he became General Manager of the BI Promotion Department, and in April 2023, he became General Manager of the Web3 Promotion Department.
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