"Neo Hioki" has been selected as a national model project and combines the local currency "Toppa" to enliven Hioki from both the "virtual" and "real" sides

What was the background, history, and purpose behind the launch of "Neo Hioki"?

Shigemizu Norio (hereinafter, Shigemizu): It all started when we received many complaints from people living outside the city and prefecture that they "couldn't go to Hioki or couldn't return home" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, Hioki City discussed population-related policies with LR Corporation, a local company with which it has a comprehensive partnership agreement, and was exploring whether something could be done through online exchanges. In the process, we received many complaints about whether it was possible to "feel Hioki through online interactions," and so we came up with a strategy to create "another Hioki" in the metaverse.

However, since the city is working on this project, the costs are covered by tax money, so it is difficult to secure a budget or take action as a project unless the effectiveness can be verified. So we conducted crowdfunding and began the challenge with people who supported us.

Are you still running "Neo Hioki" without using city tax money?

Shigemizu: Yes, in terms of using city tax money. This project was launched on August 8, 2022 as the "Neo Hioki Project: Creating Another Hioki." In the first year, we received 7 million yen in crowdfunding support, and in the following year, we received more than double that amount, about 20 million yen. Just last year, it was selected as a national model project and we started receiving subsidies from the government. Therefore, we are currently working on "Neo Hioki" using the subsidy from the national model project and the money raised through crowdfunding.

What was the background behind your decision to proceed with creating a space in the metaverse and your ability to push forward with it?

Shigemizu: In terms of how hard you want to push forward with it, there is the crowdfunding that I mentioned earlier. The fact that we have received so much support is also proof that there are people who have high expectations.

Please tell us what efforts you are making to increase awareness of "Neo Hioki" and its users.

Shigemizu: Currently, we are introducing Neo Hioki-related events and famous places within Neo Hioki on the web media "Hiokito" run by Hioki City. In addition, the monthly "Hioki to TV Live" segment "Welcome to Neo Hioki" is broadcast live from Neo Hioki. We are actively encouraging organizations interested in Neo Hioki to use the site, and we are also working on collaborations.

As a future initiative, we are currently planning to hold a fan service event at Neo Hioki with TikTokers and artists from Hioki City. We have already completed the technical preparations to handle the event, and are currently in the process of holding multiple meetings to implement it. We hope you will look forward to the progress of this event.

What is the current state of awareness of Neo Hioki, and the metaverse in general?

Shigemizu: Neo Hioki is compatible with mobile environments and is marketed as being easy to access from a smartphone, but it is difficult to penetrate to the farthest reaches, and as a result, I think that only people with a certain level of literacy can set foot on the site. Also, depending on the network environment, the loading time to enter Neo Hioki can be long, which may be troublesome for some people. Considering this situation, we are currently aiming to attract people who are interested in the metaverse and the like. On top of that, we are collaborating with them on a new initiative called "Machi no Coin."

▶ "Neo Hioki" is an initiative that has been launched to create "another Hioki city" in the metaverse. "Neo Hioki" features famous places from the real Hioki city, and has been selected as a national model project and is attracting attention as an advanced initiative.