Okayama Prefecture Nishi Awakura Village announced that Japan's first local government "ICO" (iniitial Coin Offering) will be implemented.
Nishawakura village which carries out ICO has a population of about 1,500, and about 95% of the village's area occupies forests.
We have been working on revitalizing our own distinctive areas, such as sixth industrialization of forestry and migration entrepreneurs support project.
The purpose is to utilize ICO this time to secure financial resources that do not rely on government subsidies.
It is planned to establish the general association "Nishi Awakura village Token Economy Association" to issue the virtual currency "Nishi Awakura Coin (NAC)".
Investors purchase this NAC at the Ethiaryium and Nishi Akura village will devote the raised Ether to the business development etc.
The NAC owner is given a voting right and can participate in a venture that can launch a business in the village.
Furthermore, in the village, plans are in progress to prepare a mechanism that NAC can actually use, and to create its own economic zone including living aspects.
Although it is unknown at this time about the time to do the ICO, it is said that 2021 is planned as a target.
However, according to current Japanese regulations it is currently prohibited to directly sell ICO tokens for Japanese immigrants.
I would like to pay attention to what kind of development will be shown in the future.
岡山県西粟倉村が日本初の地方自治体による「ICO」(iniitial Coin Offering)を実施することを発表した。
ICOを行う西粟倉村は人口約1500人、村の面積の約95%が森林を占める自治体。
林業の六次産業化や移住起業支援事業など、独自の地域活性化に取り組んできた。
今回もICOを活用し、国の交付金に頼らない財源の確保が目的。
仮想通貨「Nishi Awakura Coin(NAC)」を発行するために一般社団法人「西粟倉村トークンエコノミー協会」を設立予定だという。
投資家はイーサリアムでこのNACを購入、西粟倉村はその調達したイーサリアムを事業開発などにあてる。
NAC所有者には投票権が与えられ、同村で事業を立ち上げるベンチャーに参画することができるという。
さらに村内で、NACが実際に使える仕組みを整え、生活面を含めた独自の経済圏を作る計画も進んでいる。
ICOを行う時期については今の所未定だが目標としては2021年を予定しているという。
だが、今の日本の規制では日本移住者向けにICOトークンを直接的に販売することは禁止されているのが現状。
今後どのような展開を見せていくか注目していきたい。