Nemu x Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Providing images for the "Web3/Metaverse" study group (and a discussion on "Isn't Web3 ≠ Metaverse!?")

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Study Group on the Utilization of Metaverse, etc. for the Web3 Era" has been launched, and for the "Various Utilizations of Metaverse, etc." section of the secretariat's materials, I provided images from "Metaverse Evolution Theory (Gijutsu-Hyohron Co., Ltd.)" by Virtual Girl Nem, depicting "Event Scenes" and "VR Drinking Party Scenes"! I am very happy that discussions closely aligned with actual use cases are taking place at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Also, regarding the study group materials,I pointed out some concerns regarding the expressions related to "Web3" and "Metaverse" that were causing anxiety in some quarters, and received their perspective, so I would like to introduce it in this article.

※Updated 8/3: It was featured in the web media "KAI-YOU" and "Meta-Cal Frontline"!

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Information and Communications Policy Institute "Study Group on the Utilization of Metaverse, etc. for the Web3 Era"

On July 13, 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the launch of "Study Group on the Utilization of Metaverse, etc. for the Web3 Era".

And today, August 1st, the first study group meeting was held. The meeting overview and secretariat materials are published here.

I provided images for the study group!

Surprisingly, I received a consultation from the study group secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and for the "Various Utilizations of Metaverse, etc." section of the first secretariat materials, I provided my book "Metaverse Evolution Theory (Gijutsu-Hyohron Co., Ltd.)" and provided actual photos of my street live performance at Music Vket and a VR drinking party as "Event Scenes" and "VR Drinking Party Scenes"!

As I stated in my book, the Metaverse is a field with enormous potential where Japan can leverage its advantages to take a leadership role. I am very happy that discussions closely aligned with actual use cases are taking place at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and I look forward to future developments!

※Reference: Virtual Street Concert @MusicVket3

※Reference: Metaverse Drinking Party ~Strolling to the Showa Drinking District~ [Poppy Alley]

Point of concern: Isn't "Web3 ≠ Metaverse"?

On the other hand, a point that I felt very uncomfortable with while looking at the materials was that it appeared that the understanding of "Web3" and "Metaverse," which are completely different concepts, had become mixed up.

• In the first place, the name has become "Study Group on the Utilization of Metaverse, etc. for the Web3 Era" (Is there a connection between the "Web3 Era" and the "Metaverse"!?)

• Even though the main point of the secretariat materials is the utilization of the "Metaverse," which is a virtual space, Web3 talk is suddenly inserted on p5, and "VR/AR/MR devices" are listed as "devices for the Web3 era" within it (although there is a "?" attached...)

When I pointed out the above to the secretariat before the study group was held, although it was not possible to correct the materials for this time, I was able to receive a response stating "The study group also recognizes that Web3 and the Metaverse are separate concepts, and we would like to keep this point in mind for future explanations, etc., so as not to cause misunderstanding" (That was good!).

I hope that discussions will be held that are based on a correct understanding and are closely aligned with actual use cases.

Incidentally, regarding this, there were voices of concern on the internet from others besides myself.

It is still fresh in my memory that just recently, the "Easiest Web3 Textbook (Impress)" caused a huge uproar and was recalled because the explanations of terms were nonsense, and it was also considered problematic here for containing descriptions far removed from reality, such as "a metaverse built on blockchain" and "the metaverse uses blockchain."

What are "Web3" and "Metaverse"?

"Web3" is a decentralized internet using blockchain technology, while on the other hand, "Metaverse" is an online three-dimensional virtual space, and these are completely different concepts.

Regarding "Web3," the article by Gavin Wood, the founder of Ethereum and the person who proposed the term, is very helpful. Of course, it is not a term with a fixed definition, but the part about building a decentralized internet on top of blockchain technology is a consistent element, and I don't think VR/AR technology is considered a requirement for Web3 in almost any context.

※Reference: Learning what Web3.0 is from Gavin Wood's blog | Japan Cryptocurrency Skill Certification Association

Although "Metaverse" does not have a precise, fixed definition either, it is a term that first appeared in the science fiction novel "Snow Crash," where people immerse themselves in a virtual world using VR goggles, and the part referring to an "online three-dimensional virtual space" is generally consistent. Currently, most services called "metaverse" are not things that can be realized on a low-processing-speed blockchain, and are all built on top of existing centralized server infrastructure.

※Reference: In my book "Metaverse Evolution Theory (Gijutsu-Hyohron Co., Ltd.)", I also introduce the origin and definition of the word "metaverse" in detail.

Actually, even in the West, "Web3" and "Metaverse" are being conflated and touted in the media, causing widespread confusion, and it recently became a hot topic when Matthew Ball, a prominent investor in the metaverse field, finally announced his views on July 25th.

※Reference: "Fundamentally, Web3 and the Metaverse are unrelated": Metaverse expert Matthew Ball | DIGIDAY [Japan Edition] -

I view both "Web3" and "Metaverse" very positively as technological trends, and I think there could be quite a few benefits to merging them in some cases (and there are people who argue this). However, the application of technology begins with a correct understanding, and it is nonsense to conflate them simply because they are "new technology areas" outside of contexts where synergy is being discussed.

This is a very good opportunity that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has focused on the metaverse, so I hope that misunderstandings will be cleared up and discussions toward more realistic utilization will accelerate.

References

I also provided advice and data to the Agency for Cultural Affairs regarding "Metaverse and NFT." I advised them that while both "Metaverse" and "NFT" are promising technologies, they are completely different things as technologies, and that a correct understanding of the technology and use cases is important for their utilization.

In this note, I have summarized the "common misunderstandings" about NFTs in an easy-to-understand way! Regarding NFTs, there is a distortion of information due to the hype by investment businesses, and there are many people in the media and government ministries who misunderstand them, so please take a look.

Explanatory book "Metaverse Evolution Theory"

In my book, I also summarize everything from the definition of the metaverse to its relationship with NFTs and blockchain in an easy-to-understand way.

The definitive guide to the metaverse by a "native""Metaverse Evolution: A New World of "Liberation" and "Creation" Sprouting in the Wilderness of Virtual Reality (Gijutsu-Hyohron Co., Ltd.)" Now on sale at bookstores nationwide and on Amazon.