Crypto Village Newsletter #38 - 5/31
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:
Rethinking Local Self-Governance: A New Way of Living Through the Local Coop (Part.2)
This is Part 2 of a blog post series originally published in a Japanese magazine.
Rethinking Local Self-Governance: A New Way of Living Through Local Coop
Overcoming Local Challenges – Answers Found on the Ground
Crypto Village: You’ve launched some really interesting initiatives, like the shopping support service Otagai Market and the recycling hub Megutru Station. Could you tell us how these projects came about and what kind of response you’ve seen so far?
Honma: One of our key initiatives in Tsukigase is Otagai Market, a shopping support service. By tapping into the local post office’s delivery network, we’re able to make online grocery shopping accessible even in areas typically excluded from such services. Residents pick up their orders at a central community point, which not only makes the service feasible but also creates opportunities for neighbors to connect and chat — something we designed very intentionally.
Then there’s Meguru Station, a resource collection point we set up after consolidating the area’s original 36 recycling spots down to six, streamlining operations while keeping things convenient by offering 24/7 drop-off. The idea was that by bringing people to the same locations, these stations would become more than just recycling sites — they’d turn into casual meeting spots for locals. Admittedly, there was some initial pushback: fewer stations meant a bit more effort. But once people got used to it, many told us they actually found the system much more convenient.
A major added benefit is that, instead of pooling recyclables at the larger Nara City level, we can now handle sales and recycling revenue right here in Tsukigase. This means we can reinvest the proceeds from all the carefully sorted materials directly back into the local community. We’re working on developing a community-led decision-making process to determine how those funds will be used — ensuring that the value stays right here, where it matters most.
Crypto Village: I was really impressed when I first heard about these ideas. Still, I imagine you’ve run into your fair share of challenges. What’s been the most subtle but deep-seated difficulty you’ve faced while building this Local Coop?
Honma: Without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges has been the fact that many of us driving these projects — myself included — are outsiders who moved here from elsewhere. Even though we work closely with local residents and the local government, there’s always been a bit of skepticism: “Who are these outsiders, suddenly showing up and trying to change things?” We’ve heard that sentiment more than once.
That’s why, above all, we prioritize dialogue. We make sure to show up not just at official neighborhood meetings but also to host community discussions we call jibungoto-ka kaigi, or “make-it-personal meetings,” where we focus on listening rather than simply presenting our own ideas.
At the same time, as newcomers, we try to fully take on our roles as members of this community. We join local festivals, pitch in for communal activities like mowing, and show up wherever we’re needed. It’s about demonstrating, day by day, that we’re not just outsiders passing through — we’re neighbors who live here now. I believe it’s only once you build those kinds of visible, personal relationships that you can truly make initiatives like recycling hubs or shopping support work in a meaningful way.
Building the Future of Local Communities – What’s Next for Local Coop
Crypto Village: Looking ahead, what are your future plans? Are there particular goals you’re aiming for, or ideas for expanding to other regions?
Honma: For now, our top priority is to fully establish this model here in Tsukigase — to make sure it takes root and becomes something the community truly sees as essential. Once we achieve that, I’d love to see this approach expand to other rural and mountainous areas, like Yamakoshi and beyond.
Challenges like population decline and shrinking public services are becoming more visible across many regions, and they’re only going to intensify. If we can build a solid, self-governing model where local residents take back ownership of their daily lives, I believe we can carve out a future where communities can survive and thrive without depending solely on government support.
Things that may have seemed impossible before can actually become achievable when we mix in new elements — including technology. By doing so, I think we can open people’s eyes to the diverse ways of living that are possible even in small, local settings, and show that every community holds the potential to stand on its own feet.
Final Thoughts
The future of our communities isn’t just shaped by systems or technology — it’s ultimately shaped by people. The Local Coop model, at its core, is just a starting point. What gives it meaning, and allows it to truly take root, is the presence of people who are willing to stop and truly listen to others.
Through this interview, I was reminded how crucial it is to have individuals like Honma — people who patiently, carefully engage with the voices on the ground. It’s this kind of steady, thoughtful involvement that quietly but powerfully sparks real change in a community.
As these efforts spread not only through Tsukigase but to other regions as well, I believe the most important thing will be nurturing more of these local champions — people who can anchor and sustain a new kind of grassroots autonomy, one community at a time.
Introducing Our Interviewee
Hideki Honma
A core member of Crypto Village, he also serves as the Sunday host on Yamakoshi Radio. As the project manager for the Local Coop Project, he is actively working to build a sustainable future for rural communities.
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