Yamagata: Municipalities are proactively working on Web 3.0 projects and achieving results

Yamagata Prefecture is surrounded by nature, including mountains such as Zao, Gassan, Iide, Asahi, Azuma, and Chokai, which have been selected as one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, as well as the Mogami River, which is loved as the mother river. It is also rich in agricultural products, including cherries, which account for 70% of the national production, and is dotted with nationally renowned hot springs such as Zao Onsen, Ginzan Onsen, and Tendo Onsen, which opened over 1900 years ago.

Yamagata Prefecture is also promoting various Web 3.0 projects, but one project that is particularly noteworthy is the digital resident card NFT of Nishikawa Town in Yamagata Prefecture, which went on sale on April 17, 2023. If you hold this, you can become a digital resident of Nishikawa Town, and you can participate in the town's online community, as well as enjoy free bathing at Mizusawa Onsenkan and Oizawa Onsenkan.

For more information on Nishikawa Town's digital resident card, which is the first attempt by a Japanese municipality, please see the interview with Nishikawa Town Mayor Taishi Kanno published in this article.

In addition to digital resident registration, Nishikawa Town in Yamagata Prefecture is also promoting a digital trading card NFT project. The first digital trading card NFT was released with the motif of "Gassan," the image character of the Gassan Asahi Tourist Association, and the second digital trading card NFT of the same project was the "Yamasai Trading Card NFT," themed on wild vegetables, a specialty of Nishikawa Town.

▶ First Digital Trading Card NFT "Gassan"

The first of the digital trading card NFT project of Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, which was launched on October 27, 2023. The digital trading card NFT is based on the Gassan Asahi Tourist Association's image character "Gassan", and is divided into rarity levels of 1 to 5 stars, with a total of 36 types issued. In addition, a 1-star trading card NFT is being given as a gift to all applicants.

Companies and organizations that have introduced it: Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, Media Equity, Tokai Top Tours

In addition, the city is also looking for creators certified by the city to launch the wild vegetable trading card NFT. If you are certified as a Nishikawa Town certified NFT creator, you will be presented with a "Nishikawa Town Municipal Certified NFT Creator Certificate NFT (SBT)" and a letter of appreciation from the mayor.

▶ Digital Trading Card NFT 2nd Edition "Yamana Trading Card NFT"

The second edition of the digital trading card NFT project of Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, which began on March 31, 2024. The rarity of the design of this yamana trading card NFT is determined by DAO voting by digital residents who hold the "Nishikawa Town Digital Resident Card NFT", and the local government also invited public creators to participate in the launch of the yamana trading card NFT.

Companies and organizations that have adopted the system: Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, Media Equity, Tokai Top Tours

The outlook for this project is to develop a variety of entertainment, including the development of a digital trading card game using Nishikawa Town's digital trading card NFT and limited edition goods. In addition, Nishikawa Town auctioned off the naming rights NFT of a real park in the town from September 1 to 10, 2023 at HEXA.

This naming rights NFT can be purchased not only by individuals but also by corporations, and a sign will actually be installed in the named park.

▶ NFT for naming a real park

Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, is auctioning off NFTs for the right to name a real park in the town on HEXA from September 1st to 10th, 2023. The park that can be named is one of the representative parks adjacent to the roadside station in Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, and it was said that not only individuals but also corporations can bid on it. The successful bidder was presented with a letter of appreciation from the mayor.

Companies and organizations that have adopted it: Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, Media Equity, Tokai Top Tours

Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, which has been introduced so far, is working on a number of Web 3.0 projects to create a related population. However, in addition to Nishikawa Town, there are other municipalities in Yamagata Prefecture that are actively working on Web 3.0 projects.

Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, is holding the "marry360 Murayama Valentine Matching Event," the first matchmaking event on the metaverse in Tohoku, on February 12, 2023. This project was co-hosted by S.E.Onetop LLC, headquartered in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture, and Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, and its purpose is to serve as a model case for relocation measures in rural areas where population outflow is progressing, as part of contributions to the local community and regional revitalization.

As a result, 11 men and women from inside and outside the city participated in the event. 10 out of the 11 people, or 5 couples, were formed, making it a great success. S.E.Onetop LLC and Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, hope to use this event, which has the potential to be a major tool for increasing the related population, as a template for a sustainable event model, and to help with regional revitalization in the With Corona era.

▶ marry360 Murayama Valentine's Matchmaking Event

This matchmaking event was held in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture by the metaverse matchmaking service "marry360," which has a track record of matching couples. It was held on February 12, 2023, and was the first matchmaking event on the metaverse in Tohoku. The event will be held as part of local contributions and regional revitalization, so that it can serve as a model case for relocation measures in rural areas where population outflow is continuing.

Companies and organizations that have adopted it: S.E.Onetop, Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture

As part of its efforts toward the "Post Office of the Future," the Japan Post Group sold two types of NFT art to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Yamabe Town in Yamagata Prefecture as a town. The NFT art features a design based on "Sudamarin-chan," the character for "Sudamari Ice," a shaved ice specialty of Yamabe Town, and "knit," another specialty product, and can be purchased at the "Japan Post NFT Marketplace." A portion of the proceeds from the NFTs will be donated to Yamabe Town, and in the future, NFT purchasers will be able to receive special benefits when they visit Yamabe Town.

▶ Yamabe Town x Japan Post Stamp NFT

NFT art issued by Japan Post Group to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Yamabe Town, Yamagata Prefecture's establishment as a town. This was done as part of Japan Post Group's efforts toward the "Post Office of the Future," and two types of NFT art will be sold, featuring "Sudamarin-chan," the character from Yamabe Town's specialty shaved ice "Sudamari Ice," and "knitwear," another specialty. Available for purchase at the "Japan Post NFT Marketplace."

Companies and organizations that have adopted it: Japan Post Group, Yamabe Town, Yamagata Prefecture

▶ A portion of NFT revenue will be returned to Yamabe Town

In this way, local governments in Yamagata Prefecture, such as Nishikawa Town and Murayama Town, have actively promoted Web 3.0 projects and have achieved certain results, such as successfully creating a related population. It is expected that local governments in the prefecture will continue to take on initiatives using Nishikawa Town and Murayama City as model cases.

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