Japanese local governments use NFTs for regional revitalization and tourism

Native governments in Japan are more and more partnering with firms to make the most of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to revitalize areas and appeal to vacationers from abroad. This pattern will quickly speed up all through 2025, marking a essential turning level in integrating Web3 know-how into the nation’s core financial technique.

Important progress has been made at present alone. Toda Building, JTB, and Fujitsu have launched a pilot program in Echizen Metropolis, Fukui Prefecture to make use of NFT to strengthen digital transformation (DX) in tourism and promote inbound visitors. Individually, Shizuoka-based SFG Advertising introduced its entry into the NFT enterprise following profitable preliminary trials.

This surge is supported by the Ishiba administration’s “Regional Revitalization 2.0” initiative and coincides with essential adjustments in inbound tourism, with overseas vacationers more and more exploring locations past metropolitan areas.

The Rise of “Authorities NFTs”: From Digital Residency to Vacationer Passes

NFTs issued by native governments (also known as “authorities NFTs”) have advanced into extra than simply digital collectibles. These now function a robust software to realize three objectives: securing native funding, growing a “involved inhabitants” and selling town.

As of August 2025, greater than 17 native governments nationwide have issued NFTs. These initiatives are very various. Fukaya Metropolis offered “Fukka-chan NFT” as a hometown tax return reward. Kumakogen City has partnered with a manga artist to develop “Digital Resident NFT.” These NFTs perform as a loyalty or digital multi-pass system. Particularly, it offers homeowners tangible advantages, equivalent to native reductions and precedence entry to occasions. This creates a transparent experiential worth.

Kumakogen City’s monetary energy index is 0.21, indicating that it’s in peril of monetary collapse. Picture: Picture AC

Importantly, the Ministry of Inside Affairs and Communications has designated native NFT companies as eligible for “Regional Financial system and Dwelling Atmosphere Creation Subsidy” this fiscal 12 months, giving a serious impetus to their enlargement.

NFT as a promoter of inbound tourism to rural areas of Japan

The introduction of NFTs is strategically aligned with Japan’s nationwide tourism objectives. Lately, inbound vacationers have proven a transparent desire for locations exterior of main cities and have expanded their focus to rural Japan. In accordance with information from the Japan Tourism Company, the quantity spent by overseas guests to Japan in 2024 will attain a file excessive of $53 billion (roughly 8 trillion yen).

NFTs function a robust software to speed up this pattern of vacationer dispersion.

1. Digital incentives: NFT lovers around the globe have an interest. Incomes distinctive digital certificates and region-specific advantages creates highly effective journey incentives. These advantages are solely out there in the event you go to sure areas of Japan.
2. Selling native circulation: A pilot from Echizen Metropolis reveals a technique. Tourism DX turns into potential by linking NFT and regional transportation. This permits vacationers to discover the world extra deeply. JAL and JTB are additionally conducting trials. By combining “Oshikatsu” and NFT, we’ll create a brand new circulate of tourists to Kansai.
3. International showcase: On the Cupboard Workplace’s “Cool Japan Showcase” held on the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo held in April, 26 areas launched regional tourism by means of NFT and immersive know-how. This highlights a transparent government-led dedication to projecting regional property onto the worldwide Web3 stage.

NFTs are remodeling the expertise of overseas vacationers, shifting the main target from easy “consumption” in massive cities to “experiential consumption” and establishing a “relationship” with rural Japan.

Inheriting the Ishiba coverage: making Web3 the cornerstone of revitalization

The accelerated unfold of government-affiliated NFTs in 2025 is extensively seen because the fruits of the Ishiba administration’s twin promotion of the Web3 nationwide technique and regional revitalization.

Talking at WebX 2025 on August 25, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba confirmed the federal government’s stance of selling Web3 as a nationwide technique. Moreover, he emphasised the potential that Web3 can carry to regional revitalization. For instance, he gave an instance of a profitable initiative utilizing Web3 in Ama City within the Oki Islands.

As a former Minister of Regional Revitalization, Mr. Ishiba advocated “Regional Revitalization 2.0” and positioned digital transformation (DX) as important for regional revitalization.

The prime minister stated on WebX, “The 2020s will probably be recorded as a serious turning level in historical past,” evaluating it to the economic revolution, and promised the federal government to actively make the most of new applied sciences within the spirit of “those that do first.”

The Ishiba regime will finish. Nonetheless, native authorities NFT implementation is quickly increasing. This occurred simply two months after his keynote handle. This reveals that his dedication to the ultimate coverage is firmly rooted. The purpose is to determine Web3 regionally. This NFT collaboration expands that position. It is not only a pattern. It is a new digital infrastructure that’s poised to basically change Japan’s financial construction.

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