Japan's DAO Ecosystem: Preference for Entities, Grand Vision, Rising

Recently, I visited a co-working space aimed at cryptocurrency professionals in Tokyo, which gave me the opportunity to closely observe Japan's DAO ecosystem. This office space is located near Shibuya Station, in a quiet environment but conveniently accessible. The space occupies four floors of a building, with two floors being used by an active cryptocurrency investment firm and several related teams, while the other two floors are mainly rented out to individuals and small startup teams.

The office environment is simple and practical, with prices quite affordable. The monthly rent for a workstation is about 2200 RMB, while a private cubicle is around 3500 RMB. They also offer flexible usage options, such as evening slots and temporary use, which are very suitable for those who participate in the DAO on a part-time basis.

Although the hardware facilities are simple, the overall atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. Interestingly, the sound insulation is almost non-existent, which inadvertently reflects the open spirit of the DAO. A photo wall showcases many members' photos, adding a sense of community. It is worth mentioning that even if you only rent a workstation, they will assist in providing the address and other materials needed for company registration, which is very friendly for entrepreneurs.

Every Monday, events are held, and the invited guests often come from different DAOs. This space stands out among the many crypto-themed offices in Tokyo and is closely integrated with the DAO ecosystem. Its operational model also has distinct DAO characteristics: members receive NFTs linked to the door lock system, which can be used to unlock doors through a dedicated app. Interaction among members, as well as with the operators, is frequent, allowing for self-organized events and participation in some decision-making votes. Although it is essentially still a traditional office rental project, these community elements add a unique charm to it.

The DAO ecosystem in Japan gives the impression of "activists." In addition to some global DAOs like BanklessJP and PNouns having active branches in Japan, local DAOs focus more on social impact. They are either committed to promoting international exchange or focused on driving progress and change from villages to industries, and even at the national level.

Shangu Zhi DAO is a striking example. This small village located in the central northern part of Japan saw a sharp decline in population after the earthquake and attracted widespread attention by launching a digital villager NFT project. Although they faced challenges in the early stages of operation, they promptly adjusted their strategy, expanded the application scope of the digital villager concept, and optimized the DAO operational structure. Similarly, "Beautiful Countryside DAO" has incorporated 71 villages into the alliance, dedicated to connecting villages with digital villagers to jointly promote regional revitalization.

In the industry, Japan's DAOs adopt a relatively mild approach to promoting change. For example, there is a logistics DAO dedicated to enhancing the recognition of logistics value and engaging in consulting services; the beauty DAO aims to create new value and elevate the social status of practitioners.

Even more ambitious is RulemakerDAO, which aims directly at national policy-making. They actively promote digital nomad visa policies and frequently interact with government officials, showcasing the potential of DAOs in advancing national affairs. At the same time, the Japanese government is also actively embracing Web3, with the Liberal Democratic Party having released a related white paper that covers topics such as DAO legislation.

Although Japan's DAO ecosystem is still in its infancy and faces many challenges, it has already sown the seeds of change in the business world, politics, and among the general public. These explorations not only reshape new paradigms of collaboration and governance, but also herald the important role communities will play in the future development of society. As these ideas gradually take root in people's hearts, DAOs are expected to become a pioneering force leading the integration of innovation and tradition in Japan's traditionally conservative society.