Efforts for regional revitalization utilizing NFTs, DAOs, and community tokens are becoming concrete in Japan. Media Equity announced on the 20th that it will sell products jointly developed by local governments, idols, and fans as a Cabinet Office model project in February at Kinshicho Marui in Tokyo. H.I.S. and Financié also unveiled a digital community starting from Kiso Town in Nagano Prefecture on the same day. The government's comprehensive strategy also supports the utilization of such technologies.
Co-creating products with NFT×DAO, sales event in Tokyo
From February 11, Media Equity will present the results of the NFT×DAO project, which has been promoted as part of the Cabinet Office's 'Regional Revitalization 2.0' model project, in the form of sales at Kinshicho Marui in Tokyo. The company has been collaborating with three municipalities: Uda City in Nara Prefecture, Otsuki City in Yamanashi Prefecture, and Nachikatsuura Town in Wakayama Prefecture, establishing a framework for idols, fans, and local businesses to jointly plan and develop products.
In this project, NFTs are issued as 'project passes', allowing holders to reflect their opinions on product design and sales methods as members of the DAO. This feature is characterized by visualizing the process in which fans participate in local businesses, going beyond mere merchandise sales.
Design that connects idols, municipalities, and fans directly
At the sales event, projects involving Hirashima Natsumi, Sasaki Yukari, Kodama Haruka, and members of the music group Rain Tree will be handled. Media equity aims to enhance the added value of local products by leveraging the influence of performers and fans.
Decision-making through the DAO creates pathways for external human resources to continuously engage with the region, differing from traditional tourism policies and product exhibitions. It is positioned as an example of bringing NFTs and DAOs into the implementation stage of the local economy as a Cabinet Office model project.
HIS and FiNANCiE, 'Second Hometown' in Kiso Town
On the other hand, major travel agency HIS and token platform operator FiNANCiE launched the 'Second Hometown Project' on the 20th, starting from Kaida Kogen in Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. The two companies also published the local community 'Kiso Horse Mirai Lab' on FiNANCiE the same day.
The project aims to transform tourists from one-time visitors into a 'related population' that continues to engage with the area digitally. Participants will share information and participate in projects through community tokens, designed to continuously deepen their relationship with the region.
Positioning of Government Strategy and Web3-type Regional Revitalization
Behind these private-led movements lies a shift in government policy. On December 23, 2025, the Cabinet Office announced a 'Comprehensive Strategy for Regional Revitalization', placing digital technology utilization for regional activation and the creation of a related population as one of its pillars. The strategy emphasizes the creation of industries utilizing regional resources and the circulation of human resources, encouraging proactive efforts by each municipality.
Although NFT, DAO, and community tokens are not the central concepts of the strategic document, they have potential as means to connect people inside and outside the region. This case may serve as a touchstone for how Web3 technology can be integrated into the practical aspects of regional revitalization.