{"id":89759,"date":"2024-02-12T22:03:29","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T03:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/?p=89759"},"modified":"2024-02-12T22:03:31","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T03:03:31","slug":"city-of-kochi-unveils-tourism-boost-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/?p=89759","title":{"rendered":"City of Kochi Unveils \u2018Tourism Boost\u2019 Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kochi, Japan, will move into the metaverse space, with city officials sealing a web3 deal with the Philippines-based Start Lands.<\/p>\n

Per Kochi News and CoinPost, the city government signed its deal with the firm behind the Start Land metaverse project on February 7.<\/p>\n

The parties said a \u201cvirtual Kochi\u201d would likely be open for online visitors by the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n

Japan Metaverse Moves: Virtual City Will \u2018Attract Tourists\u2019<\/h2>\n

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Start Lands is the brainchild of a Japanese developer who goes by the moniker of KOUSEI. The latter launched the company in May 2022.<\/p>\n

In Start Land, internet users can reportedly \u201cuse free avatars to enjoy shopping\u201d in a \u201cvirtual space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kochi officials said they had \u201csigned a comprehensive collaboration agreement\u201d that would see them \u201cpromote regional revitalization using digital technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udce3Kochi City x START LANDS Inc.
Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony,
was a success!<\/p>\n

Thank you all for your support. \ud83d\ude47\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n

We will have a screening later on discord and X live.
We will have a screening at \ud83d\ude47\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f#STARTLAND<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/j9HrZrmdRF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 START LAND \uff3bofficial\uff3d (@STARTJPN1) February 7, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And Kochi spokespeople said they believe the project will help them \u201cexpand sales channels for local specialties.\u201d<\/p>\n

They added that the move would help the city \u201cattract tourists, and encourage people to relocate to [Kochi].\u201d<\/p>\n

The city said it was \u201calso considering\u201d use of the metaverse \u201cin the fields of education and welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kochi Castle, one of Kochi\u2019s most famous tourist attractions. (Source: Saigen Jiro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kochi Eyes Expansion: Can Metaverse Help?<\/h2>\n

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The firm said the February 7 ceremony \u201cwas also held simultaneously in the metaverse space,\u201d featuring the avatars of Ryugo Kuwana, Mayor of Kochi, and KOUSEI.<\/p>\n

Start Land claims to have \u201capproximately 20,000 users\u201d in Japan and overseas locations. The firm also issues NFTs.<\/p>\n

Kochi is the biggest city and the capital of Kochi Prefecture, on Japan\u2019s Shikoku Island. The prefecture is mainly rural, and is well-known for its mountains, rivers, and beaches.<\/p>\n

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has given his backing to the country\u2019s web3 and metaverse sectors.<\/p>\n

Kishida identified the industries as growth engines for the economy in a speech to UK investors in 2022.<\/p>\n

In 2021, the South Korean capital, Seoul, unveiled plans to launch comprehensive metaverse platform services.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n