KDDI Corporation, Tokyu Corporation, Mizuho Research & Technologies Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Mizuho Research & Technologies), and Future Design Shibuya "Virtual City Consortium" (hereinafter referred to as this consortium) will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. We are announcing the "Virtual City Guidelines ver.1.5" (hereafter, these guidelines) for the development of the Metaverse/city-linked metaverse industry.
This consortium welcomes the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Shibuya Ward, Osaka Prefecture, and Osaka City as observers, and is composed of business companies and experts involved in the operation of the city-linked metaverse and urban development of existing cities. On April 22nd, we announced the “Virtual City Guidelines ver.1”, and based on the knowledge of participating companies and experts, we stipulated points to note and considerations when establishing and operating a Metaverse/city-linked Metaverse. . In the "Virtual City Guidelines ver.1.5", we have updated the previous contents, focusing on points to note when using NFT and the concept of utilization in the city-linked metaverse, in order to further realize the creator economy.
Virtual City Guidelines ver.1.5 Update Items Excerpt
・Vitalization of creator economy In the Metaverse, it is desirable to create an environment in which users can take the lead in creating content and services and provide them to other users, rather than just providing content to users unilaterally. . In aiming for activation, points of discussion were sorted out from the perspectives of “possibility of blockchain technology,” “utilization to establish user-centered interoperability,” and “utilization of NFT.”
・Use of NFTs in the Metaverse and city-linked metaverse Organize how to use NFTs in the Metaverse and city-linked metaverse. In the Metaverse, in addition to "utilization in art content", points of discussion regarding the issues are sorted out. In the city-linked metaverse, we organized use cases with the main objectives of “increasing the related population of the existing city”, “fostering city pride”, and “linking with the functions of the existing city”.
・Issues in using NFTs in the Metaverse In order to realize monetization for creators, there are two issues: “disintermediation in the distribution process” and “excessive competition”. In addition, legal arrangements have not yet been made regarding whether or not NFTs are applicable under the Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
"Virtual City Guidelines ver.1.5" https://shibuya5g.org/research/docs/guideline.pdf
Consortium overview
Based on various knowledge based on the operation of Shibuya Ward's official distribution platform "Virtual Shibuya", we are open to the development of the Metaverse from Japan, such as the development of similar models in other cities and the development of new businesses and technologies. It is an organization whose purpose is to conduct discussions and research, formulate guidelines, and disseminate information.
Name Virtual City Consortium
Established November 9, 2021
Participating companies KDDI Corporation, Future Design Shibuya, Tokyu Corporation, Mizuho Research & Technologies Co., Ltd. (as of November 8, 2022, in alphabetical order)
Representative KDDI Corporation Kazuhiko Chuma
URLs https://shibuya5g.org/research
Inquiries Please contact us using the form on our website.
Advisory Board (participating experts)
Digital Hollywood University President
Tomoyuki Sugiyama (Doctor of Engineering)
International University of Japan Global Communication Center Principal Researcher Professor Research Director
Tomoaki Watanabe (Ph.D., Mass Communication)
Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo / Representative Director, Future Design Shibuya
Hideki Koizumi (Doctor of Engineering)
Lawyer at SAKURA Law Office
Kenshiro Michishita
KDDI Corporation / Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance Specially Appointed Lecturer Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister's Secretariat Special Advisor
Hirokazu Kawamoto (Master in Policy and Media)
observer
Content Industry Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Shibuya Ward
Exhibition Planning Division, Expo Promotion Bureau, Osaka Prefecture/Osaka City
Main services of each company
KDDI
Utilizing 5G and advanced technology, we will share knowledge on the development of virtual city, the au version of the metaverse, and technology and services.
Tokyu
In anticipation of interlocking with virtual space, we will share knowledge of town development activities and business in real cities.
Mizuho Research & Technologies Consortium
Support the operation and guideline creation.
Future Design Shibuya
Promote cooperation between the government and private companies.
About Shibuya Ward Official Virtual Shibuya
"Virtual Shibuya", which celebrates its 3rd anniversary this year, is Japan's first local government official recognition project launched in May 2020 by the "Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project" organized mainly by KDDI, Future Design Shibuya, and Shibuya Tourism Association. It is a city-linked metaverse. Since its launch in May 2020, we have regularly held virtual events such as “#Shibuya Ghost in the Shell NIGHT by au 5G”, “Virtual Shibuya au 5G Halloween Festival”, and “Shibuharu Festival”. More than 1 million people from all over the world have participated and won various awards such as the 7th JACE Event Award Grand Prize, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, and the London International Awards 2022 Creativity In The Metaverse Gold.
