Crypto Village Newsletter #33 - 3/15
Welcome back to our News Letter!
A huge thank you to all our new subscribers! This newsletter is brought to you by Crypto Village, where we share the latest updates on the Nishikigoi NFT project, Japanese local NFT initiatives, and much more.
The News of the Week:
Designing a New Nation: The Vision of Neo Yamakoshi Village(Part2)
In this episode, I’ll share the content of a serialized article that was recently published in Japan. Since it's quite long, I'll break it down into two parts. This time, I’m sharing an interview with the digital villager, Leeman, about how he thinks the future of Neo Yamakoshi village.
Designing a New Country: The Vision of Neo Yamakoshi Village(Part2)
In this part, we spoke with Leeman, the manager of Haruka Takeuchi. As an active digital villager of Yamakoshi, Leeman is a key supporter of the Neo-Yamakoshi Village initiative. Last year, he had the opportunity to experience living in Yamakoshi. Through this experience, he gained a deeper appreciation of the region’s unique charm and shared his thoughts on the future potential of Neo Yamakoshi Village.
The Unique Appeal of Neo-Yamakoshi Village
Crypto Village: First, could you introduce yourself?
Leeman: My name is Leeman, and I’m a digital villager originally from Echigo-Yuzawa, Niigata. I currently live in Tokyo, where I work as a producer and director for radio programs and audio content.
Crypto Village: As Haruka’s manager, could you share how you got involved in this role and what your responsibilities entail?
Leeman: Ever since the launch of Nishikigoi NFT, we’ve been fortunate to receive significant attention, leading to many interview, media, and speaking requests for Takeuchi. Initially, she was handling all the scheduling on her own, but it quickly became overwhelming. Seeing how much time and effort it took, I stepped in as her manager to support her.
Currently, for any new inquiries, Takeuchi forwards the emails to me, and I handle scheduling, negotiations, publication timelines, and even invoice management. The primary goal is to free up her time so she can focus more on Yamakoshi’s initiatives.
Experiencing Life in Yamakoshi
Crypto Village: You had the chance to do a trial stay in Yamakoshi last year. What stood out to you the most about the experience? Also, what kind of people do you think would enjoy visiting Yamakoshi?
Leeman: I stayed at Takezawa Housing, a local facility in Yamakoshi. The residents were incredibly welcoming, and I was able to connect with them quickly. One of the most striking aspects for me—perhaps because I usually live in Tokyo—was how quiet the nights were.
Spending time in Yamakoshi gave me a new perspective and a deeper appreciation of the region’s culture and community. I would love for people who are looking for a slower, more immersive experience to visit. Whether you’re interested in rural life, community-building, or simply need a break from the fast pace of the city, Yamakoshi has something special to offer.
Mornings in Yamakoshi begin with the calls of bullfrogs, followed by a peaceful ride through the village on an e-bike. During the day, I worked from Yamakoshi Reconstruction Exchange Center Orataru, a space that offers an inspiring view of the terraced rice fields and ponds from its outdoor terrace.
Looking back, I’m surprised at how productive I was. The tranquil environment, surrounded by nature, proved to be an ideal setting for remote work. If you’ve never visited Yamakoshi before, consider trying the trial relocation program—it might just be the perfect escape you didn’t know you needed.
Crypto Village: In Japan, initiatives combining “relationship population” and NFTs are increasing. What do you think makes Neo Yamakoshi Village unique in this space?
Leeman: I purchased my Nishikigoi NFT on December 14, 2021, the moment it went on sale. I still remember the shock I felt when I first came across the project the day before its release. Being from Niigata, I was, of course, familiar with Yamakoshi. But the idea of a depopulated village issuing digital residency using cutting-edge technology moved me deeply.
When NFTs first gained attention, much of the hype was speculative. However, I believe that the NFT projects that have endured have something more—something beyond speculation. The floor price of Nishikigoi NFT is not a concern for the digital villagers.
Despite that, the number of digital villagers continues to grow steadily. I believe the reason lies in Neo Yamakoshi Village’s approach—it offers a way for people to engage with the community even if they don’t live there. Many digital villagers resonate with the idea of staying connected to their hometown and contributing to it, even from afar.
The residents of Yamakoshi have a unique history. During the 2004 Chūetsu Earthquake, the entire village was forced to evacuate. Because they have experienced being outsiders themselves, they have developed a natural openness to welcoming new people.
When digital villagers, or yoso-mono (outsiders), visit Yamakoshi, they are greeted with a warm “Welcome home!” This culture of inclusion is one of the village’s most unique and endearing qualities.
Crypto Village:What is your vision for the future of Neo Yamakoshi Village?
Leeman: There is no doubt that Japan’s rural population will continue to decline. But the goal of Neo Yamakoshi Village is not just to increase the number of new villagers—it’s to build a community of engaged supporters, a relationship population, who contribute to the village in meaningful ways.
The key is to use digital tools to preserve Yamakoshi’s traditions and pass them on to the next generation.
Last year, we even welcomed a junior high school student as a digital resident. I believe more young people will continue to join, bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives.
Where government support falls short, Neo Yamakoshi Village, with its unique form of self-governance, can generate resources and allocate them to the community. That is the future I envision.
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