Regional Revitalization Cooperator DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) Launched in Imakane Town, Hokkaido. Aiming to Solve Local Issues and Create 'Related Populations'
Imakane Town, Hokkaido, and Aruyaumu Inc., which promotes regional revitalization using DAO and NFT, will launch the "Regional Revitalization Cooperator DAO" initiative from May 2026. This project combines regional revitalization cooperators with digital communities (DAO) to revitalize the region. It aims to solve local issues and create 'related populations' through collaboration between local residents and DAO participants.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 2, 2026 at 02:22 (16h 50m after Collected)
Imakane Town, Hokkaido, and Aruyaumu Inc. (Headquarters: Sapporo City, Representative Director: Hiroaki Hatanaka), which promotes regional revitalization using DAO and NFT, will launch the "Regional Revitalization Cooperator DAO" initiative from May 2026. This project combines regional revitalization cooperators with digital communities (DAO) to revitalize the region. It aims to solve local issues and create 'related populations' through collaboration between local residents and DAO participants.
(1) Introduction of Appointed Cooperator (Region) and Job Description
Introduction of Appointed Cooperator
Kyohei Iizuka
Relocated from Sapporo City, Hokkaido, to Imakane Town, Hokkaido
Regional Revitalization Cooperator Kyohei Iizuka
[Comment on this initiative]
Kyohei Iizuka, Imakane Town Regional Revitalization Cooperator
I have been appointed as a Regional Revitalization Cooperator for Imakane Town, Hokkaido.
Through my previous experience as a dental technician, I came to realize the connection between "eating" and "living." After that, I founded my own company and engaged in personal coaching, food and beverage, and system engineering work. In recent years, I obtained a hunting license and had the opportunity to work at a gibier processing facility, where I continue to confront the question of "how should the relationship between humans and nature be?"
After taking office, I intend to carefully listen to the voices of the local residents and challenge myself to solve local issues, including collaboration with forestry businesses and the utilization of gibier, and to disseminate the unique charm of Imakane Town in new ways.
Furthermore, I hope to connect not only with the residents of the town but also with former residents who have left Imakane Town and people in urban areas who do not yet know the town, through DAO (digital communities), and together, pool our wisdom to nurture the future of the town. I will contribute to creating an Imakane Town that continues to be supported, moving back and forth between digital and analog, online and offline.
Mitsuhiro Nakajima, Mayor of Imakane Town
[Mitsuhiro Nakajima, Mayor of Imakane Town]
Our town, in cooperation with Aruyaumu Inc., will launch a new project to create 'related populations' utilizing the Regional Revitalization Cooperator DAO. Our town has continuously undertaken initiatives aimed at the town's sustainability, such as the sixth industrialization of forestry, inviting cooperators, and promoting settlement, as a response to population decline. We expect Mr. Kyohei Iizuka, who is newly appointed as a Regional Revitalization Cooperator, to first enjoy his life in Imakane Town and carefully foster connections with the townspeople one by one. Furthermore, we hope he will utilize the new mechanism of digital communities (DAO) to make the charm of Imakane Town known to people outside the town, creating opportunities for them to feel "I want to support it," "I want to live there," and "I want to visit it."
[Purpose of this initiative]
Solving local issues through collaboration between local residents and DAO participants
Creating 'related populations'
(2) About DAO and the Project
1. What is DAO?
DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) is a digital community where participants from all over the country gather via the internet. Participants are not just fans but actively engage as members of the project, and all are equally involved in planning and decision-making.
2. Benefits of DAO
Introducing DAO creates a system where people outside the municipality can proactively participate in solving local issues. Fresh perspectives and knowledge react with the aspirations of local residents, creating innovative solutions. Proactive activities deepen understanding and attachment to the region, generating strong 'related populations'.
3. Budget
Utilizing the Regional Revitalization Cooperator system, it will be implemented "within the scope of special local allocation tax (10/10)". Three services—'recruitment and selection of suitable personnel,' 'support during tenure,' and 'provision of digital technology'—will be provided seamlessly, supporting the establishment of DAOs while reducing the burden on municipal staff.
4. Implementation Status and Future Plans?
・FY2025: 17 municipalities introduced
・FY2026: Target of 30 municipalities introduced
We have received numerous inquiries from local governments nationwide, including those starting in summer/autumn in response to supplementary budgets and those starting with the initial budget for the next fiscal year. Please feel free to contact us if you are a local government or regional stakeholder considering introduction.
(Case study in Yoichi Town, Hokkaido: Held an activity event utilizing local resources and invited participants from outside the region)
(Case study in Yoichi Town, Hokkaido: Issued the above image as an NFT for webinar completion certificates, providing an experience that engraves memories and experiences.)
5. "Regional Revitalization Cooperator DAO" Service Details
A solution that provides three services—'recruitment and selection of suitable personnel,' 'support during tenure,' and 'provision of digital technology'—seamlessly within the scope of the Regional Revitalization Cooperator system.
(1) Introduction of Appointed Cooperator (Region) and Job Description
Introduction of Appointed Cooperator
Kyohei Iizuka
Relocated from Sapporo City, Hokkaido, to Imakane Town, Hokkaido
Regional Revitalization Cooperator Kyohei Iizuka
[Comment on this initiative]
Kyohei Iizuka, Imakane Town Regional Revitalization Cooperator
I have been appointed as a Regional Revitalization Cooperator for Imakane Town, Hokkaido.
Through my previous experience as a dental technician, I came to realize the connection between "eating" and "living." After that, I founded my own company and engaged in personal coaching, food and beverage, and system engineering work. In recent years, I obtained a hunting license and had the opportunity to work at a gibier processing facility, where I continue to confront the question of "how should the relationship between humans and nature be?"
After taking office, I intend to carefully listen to the voices of the local residents and challenge myself to solve local issues, including collaboration with forestry businesses and the utilization of gibier, and to disseminate the unique charm of Imakane Town in new ways.
Furthermore, I hope to connect not only with the residents of the town but also with former residents who have left Imakane Town and people in urban areas who do not yet know the town, through DAO (digital communities), and together, pool our wisdom to nurture the future of the town. I will contribute to creating an Imakane Town that continues to be supported, moving back and forth between digital and analog, online and offline.
Mitsuhiro Nakajima, Mayor of Imakane Town
[Mitsuhiro Nakajima, Mayor of Imakane Town]
Our town, in cooperation with Aruyaumu Inc., will launch a new project to create 'related populations' utilizing the Regional Revitalization Cooperator DAO. Our town has continuously undertaken initiatives aimed at the town's sustainability, such as the sixth industrialization of forestry, inviting cooperators, and promoting settlement, as a response to population decline. We expect Mr. Kyohei Iizuka, who is newly appointed as a Regional Revitalization Cooperator, to first enjoy his life in Imakane Town and carefully foster connections with the townspeople one by one. Furthermore, we hope he will utilize the new mechanism of digital communities (DAO) to make the charm of Imakane Town known to people outside the town, creating opportunities for them to feel "I want to support it," "I want to live there," and "I want to visit it."
[Purpose of this initiative]
Solving local issues through collaboration between local residents and DAO participants
Creating 'related populations'
(2) About DAO and the Project
1. What is DAO?
DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) is a digital community where participants from all over the country gather via the internet. Participants are not just fans but actively engage as members of the project, and all are equally involved in planning and decision-making.
2. Benefits of DAO
Introducing DAO creates a system where people outside the municipality can proactively participate in solving local issues. Fresh perspectives and knowledge react with the aspirations of local residents, creating innovative solutions. Proactive activities deepen understanding and attachment to the region, generating strong 'related populations'.
3. Budget
Utilizing the Regional Revitalization Cooperator system, it will be implemented "within the scope of special local allocation tax (10/10)". Three services—'recruitment and selection of suitable personnel,' 'support during tenure,' and 'provision of digital technology'—will be provided seamlessly, supporting the establishment of DAOs while reducing the burden on municipal staff.
4. Implementation Status and Future Plans?
・FY2025: 17 municipalities introduced
・FY2026: Target of 30 municipalities introduced
We have received numerous inquiries from local governments nationwide, including those starting in summer/autumn in response to supplementary budgets and those starting with the initial budget for the next fiscal year. Please feel free to contact us if you are a local government or regional stakeholder considering introduction.
(Case study in Yoichi Town, Hokkaido: Held an activity event utilizing local resources and invited participants from outside the region)
(Case study in Yoichi Town, Hokkaido: Issued the above image as an NFT for webinar completion certificates, providing an experience that engraves memories and experiences.)
5. "Regional Revitalization Cooperator DAO" Service Details
A solution that provides three services—'recruitment and selection of suitable personnel,' 'support during tenure,' and 'provision of digital technology'—seamlessly within the scope of the Regional Revitalization Cooperator system.