Many local governments in Japan have taken innovative steps to revitalize their local economies at the beginning of fiscal 2024, which started this month. One such town is Nishikawa in Yamagata Prefecture, which has established a “kasegu” or moneymaking division to secure additional financial resources. This new division is promoting a type of non-fungible token (NFT) that allows people living outside of the town to become digital citizens of Nishikawa.
The head of the division, Tomohiro Ishikawa, stated that they do not want the relationship to end with just one NFT transaction. They hope that people will take a step further and become fans of the town. Nishikawa plans to host in-person and online gatherings to bring together its digital citizens. This initiative aims to attract new interest and support for the town and boost its economy in unique ways.
Overall, the creation of these unusual departments in local governments reflects a growing trend towards innovative approaches to economic revitalization in Japan. The hope is that these initiatives will not only bring in additional financial resources but also foster a sense of community and pride among residents and supporters of these towns. It will be interesting to see how these departments continue to evolve and make a difference in the coming months and years.