Introducing Kanagawa's Metaverse Support Program to Encourage Social Participation

Cluster and Yuzu Plus Launch Metaverse Initiative in Kanagawa

Cluster Inc., based in Shinagawa, Tokyo and operated by Naoto Kato, has joined forces with Yuzu Plus Inc., based in Kyoto City, led by CEO Kenichi Okamura, to announce a project aimed at fostering social participation through the metaverse in Kanagawa Prefecture. This initiative, launching on September 5th, features the 'Kanagawa Connection Discovery Park', a digital space designed to connect individuals who struggle with feelings of isolation or anxiety due to various challenges, including school refusal and disabilities. By utilizing a virtual environment, the project facilitates easy interaction without requiring individuals to leave their homes.

"Kanagawa Connection Discovery Park"

The park comprises four themed areas: three permanent worlds and one limited-time world, all of which will host various events throughout the year. Each area is designed with specific purposes in mind, allowing for a variety of activities and interactions among users. Some examples of these areas include:

1. Entrance – Welcoming users to the park.
2. Worries Consultation Room – A safe space for individuals to share their concerns and seek advice.
3. Lounge – A casual area for relaxation and socializing.
4. Seaside Whisper – A virtual beach where users can express their feelings anonymously.

Utilization and Anticipated Impact

This program plans to create a supportive environment for:

- Individuals burdened by worries or challenges to effortlessly reach out for help.
- Those experiencing social withdrawal to find opportunities for socializing and community engagement.
- Diverse individuals to exchange ideas and enjoy themed events.

This initiative is structured around three primary programs:

1. Social Participation Support Using the Metaverse (‘Meta Tomo Lounge’)
Through this initiative, which involves a series of communication events, the program aims to encourage people dealing with social withdrawal to engage and form connections. Scheduled interaction events will occur on specific dates from September to February, with each session taking place from 20:00 to 21:00.
- Hobby Interaction Sessions - September 10, 24; October 1, 22; November 5, 26; December 3, 10, 17; January 7
- Skill-Up Sessions - January 14, 28; February 4, 10, 25
The maximum capacity for each event is limited to 20 participants, who can join through a warp point in the entrance 30 minutes before the start.

2. Creating Secure Gathering Spaces in the Metaverse (Kizuna no Hiroba)
This component will provide a comforting space for those who feel anxious or isolated, thus encouraging mutual understanding and sharing of experiences.

3. Community Enhancing Activities for Everyone (Tomoi-Ki Metaverse Promotion Project)
Aimed at fostering a socially inclusive society, this initiative seeks to promote activities that everyone can enjoy, including individuals with disabilities.

4. Consultation Room ('Worries Consultation Room')
This space will allow individuals to seek advice about issues related to social withdrawal. Since access will be through a reservation system via Google forms, it ensures the psychological safety of the participants.
- Worries Consultation Room Reservation Form

Interactive Mini-Games

To make the experience more engaging, the park will feature a mini-game titled 'Find the Hidden Shirasu in the World!' Participants can search for four types of shirasu (baby sardines), which are a local delicacy in Kanagawa Prefecture. Finding these items can earn players accessory items, enhancing their interaction within the metaverse.

About the Cluster Application

Cluster is a versatile virtual space construction platform that enables creators to materialize and share fantastical worlds. It supports browser, smartphone, and VR formats while offering features such as a collaborative world-building tool and a marketplace for buying and selling 3D assets. Cluster continues to innovate as a co-creation space operating system that connects people, objects, and technologies.

- Application Name: Cluster
- Operator: Cluster Inc.
- Price: Free
- Download Link: Download Cluster

About Cluster Inc.

Cluster Inc. is a technology company dedicated to developing Japan’s largest metaverse platform, with a vision to connect people, objects, and technology within a co-creative space framework. Utilizing a uniquely developed system that accommodates substantial simultaneous connections, Cluster provides an infrastructure that merges the real with the virtual, adopted in various sectors including manufacturing, education, and entertainment. With a capacity to host up to 100,000 simultaneous users, it offers high reliability and scalability as a B2B platform. Furthermore, Cluster invests in research and development to explore virtual experiences’ potential alongside educational collaborations with research institutions and universities, leading the evolution of metaverse technologies.

Company Overview

- Name: Yuzu Plus Inc.
- Established: June 21, 2022
- Location: 30-13 Nakajima-cho, Yoshida-in, Minami-ku, Kyoto City
- CEO: Kenichi Okamura
- Business Activities: Planning metaverse space policies and events, proposing new business projects.
- Contact Email: [email protected]
- Official Website: Yuzu Plus