Asahi Shimbun 'The Potential of the Metaverse to Change Personality and Love' Nem & Qualitative Survey 'Identity in the Metaverse' Published

Asahi Shimbun: 'Virtual Bishoujo Nem, who has even presented at a UN conference'!?

In the article 'The Potential of the Metaverse to Change Personality and Love' published on page 2 of the evening edition of the Asahi Shimbun on December 21, 2024, my activities as Virtual Bishoujo Nem were featured extensivelyand introduced.Various data from Nem x Mila's research activities, such as 'Identity in the Metaverse' and the 'Social VR Lifestyle Survey,' as well as the content of my dialogue with primatologist Dr. Shun Hongo, 'Do Humans Become Primitive in the Metaverse?', were also covered in detailand published.

This article was written by literary critic Naoya Fujita and concludes with'Instead of a binary opposition between escaping to the virtual or clinging to the real (omitted), it is time to think about comprehensive design,'and I sincerely agree with that sentiment. It is a major step forward that an article with such high resolution on metaverse life, free from speculation or prejudice, was published in a general newspaper,isn't it?

In this article, I will list the published content, the feedback received from everyone, the sources of the cited data, and also introduce my past newspaper coverage history.

Asahi Shimbun: 'The Potential of the Metaverse to Change Personality and Love'

Published on page 2 of the Asahi Shimbun evening edition, issued December 21, 2024.

Electronic version also available (paid article)

Everyone's Reactions

Introduction of Cited Materials

UN IGF Kyoto 2023 'Dialogue with Metaverse Residents' Nem Presentation

The United Nations' international conference to discuss internet issues, the 'Internet Governance Forum Kyoto 2023 (IGF Kyoto 2023),' opened in Kyoto on October 8, 2023. This was the first time the conference was held in Japan, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and Internal Affairs Minister Junji Suzuki also took the stage.

Surprisingly, my partner Mila and I, Virtual Bishoujo Nem, were given the opportunity to give a one-hour lecture in English titled 'Dialogue with Metaverse Residents: New Identity and Diversity' at the Day 0 event. I performed a 'Metaverse Presentation,' appearing on the venue's giant screen in my avatar form from the metaverse.

Qualitative Survey: Identity in the Metaverse (Nem x Mila, 2024)

We have released a qualitative report, 'Identity in the Metaverse,' which investigates the nature of identity among social VR users. Through the analysis of qualitative data from free-form responses, the diversity of 'being oneself' that expands in the metaverse has emerged with high resolution. To stimulate open discussion toward the future of humanity and the metaverse, we are releasing all 71 pages for free. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Quantitative Survey: Social VR Lifestyle Survey 2023 (Nem x Mila, 2023)

To visualize lifestyles in the metaverse, we have released a report on a large-scale public survey conducted among users worldwide. This second survey saw a record 2,000 responses. Thank you for your cooperation. We set the highly requested topics of 'changes due to rapid population growth,' 'community,' and 'economy' as priority themes. To stimulate open discussion toward the future of humanity and the metaverse, we are releasing all 80 pages for free. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Dialogue with primatologist Dr. Shun Hongo: Do humans become primitive in the metaverse?

"Isn't the metaverse an innovation that could be called an 'evolution' for humanity?" "Doesn't the metaverse bring out the 'instincts' of humanity?"

It was a truly thrilling and supreme experience to be able to discuss the hypotheses that form the core of my activities with primatologist Dr. Shun Hongo. Thank you very much for this valuable opportunity. We talked about various topics, from fieldwork methodology to comparisons between metaverse humans and apes. As it was a very intense discussion, this time it is in a 'two-part' format for the first time. Please take a look.

Nemu, past newspaper publication history

'Shukan Dokushojin' lead feature: Dialogue = Shinichiro Inaba x Virtual Bishoujo Nemu [What makes a human, human] (2024)

VR Lifestyle Survey cited in Mainichi Shimbun 'Found a place in the VR world: Not bound by gender or 'what is expected'' (2024)

Gunma Prefecture tsukurun Metaverse Project launched! Nemu as lecturer [Published in Jomo Shimbun] (2023)

'Going to the Metaverse Alone' Nemu, Yomiuri Shimbun interview published! What is the appeal of the metaverse where you can 'become the person you want to be'? (2023)

'Regional revitalization through the metaverse: Virtual Bishoujo lecture in Ube' Metaverse event published in Yamaguchi Shimbun (2023)

'The metaverse is a new frontier for talent' Nikkei MJ Nemu interview published (2023)

10 newspaper publications for Nemu in 2022

I started a FANBOX!

Virtual Bishoujo Nemu has started a FANBOX! If you'd like, I would be happy if you could become a sponsor within your means.