Japan’s digital minister announces setting up of Web3 study group

Japan’s digital minister Taro Kono has announced the establishment of the “Web 3.0 Study Group” responsible for promoting Web3 technologies. 

The study group will be attached to the Digital Agency and examine ways to promote Web3, including the use of NFTs and blockchain, Kono announced on September 30. Its work has been outlined in the “Priority Plan for the Realization of a Digital Society” approved by the Japanese Cabinet in June.

The group comprises experts appointed by Kono. Professor Jiro Kokuryo, from the Faculty of Policy Studies at Keio University, has been appointed the group’s chairperson while Masahiko Inami, Special Assistant to the President and Professor of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo, will be acting chairperson.

Group members include Professor Natsuyoshi Ishii, from the Faculty of International Information Studies at Chuo University; Joichi Ito, Digital Garage director and chief architect; Yuko Kawai, general manager at the Corporate Planning Department of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group; and Keiji Tonomura, lawyer at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; Kazuhiko Tomiyama, chairman of IGPI Group; novelist Taiyo Fujii; Shinichiro Matsuo, research professor at Georgetown University; and Noriyuki Yanagawa, professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Economics and Management.

In July, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced setting up the Web 3.0 Policy Promotion Office, which would examine ways to strengthen Japan’s current system and improve the business environment relating to Web3.

The Digital Agency is one of the government agencies and ministries the office would work with. They would look at  policy areas on funding, taxation and business entities, as well as the industry sector including content, sports, fashion and art. 

The economic ministry said the office would also gather information on the business environment at home and abroad from operators, investors, legal communities, engineers and others, amid an outflow of Web3 entrepreneurs from Japan.