Nemu x Cabinet Office "Metaverse Public-Private Partnership Conference" Guest Appearance [Listening to the Voices of Residents]

This is a report on how I, a virtual girl, was invited to a Cabinet Office conference!!!

On November 21, 2022, last year, I, Metaverse Culture Evangelist "Virtual Girl Nemu," appeared as a guest speaker at the Cabinet Office's "Metaverse Public-Private Partnership Conference." After demonstrating my actual life in the metaverse, I explained the reality of users' lives from various perspectives. I also conveyed that millions of residents are already living their lives in the metaverse during its dawn, and that I want them to listen carefully to the voices of the residents when considering policies.

Appearing at a Cabinet Office conference in my avatar form was a surreal sight, even to me, but it made me feel the government's enthusiasm. I think it was very good that they emphasized points like "how to understand users" and "what the country can do for the development of the metaverse" rather than just ending with discussions on regulations.

※Applications are now closed
Also, following these discussions, the Cabinet Office is widely soliciting public comments for organizing the issues until May 7, 2023. This is a chance to deliver our voices directly to the government. Since this could affect our future lives in the metaverse, why don't metaverse residents and others with proposals or concerns try posting? They seem to want to collect a wide variety of opinions. I have also summarized how to post in this article.

What is the Cabinet Office's "Metaverse Public-Private Partnership Conference"?

The official name is the Cabinet Office Intellectual Property Strategy Promotion Secretariat's "Public-Private Partnership Conference on Responding to New Legal Issues Concerning Content, etc. on the Metaverse" (it's long) lol

※Source: Public-Private Partnership Conference on Responding to New Legal Issues Concerning Content, etc. on the Metaverse

I want you to listen to the voices of the residents and proceed

As a guest speaker, I gave a presentation and participated in a Q&A session online at the first meeting held on November 21, 2022, titled "On the Metaverse Ecosystem and Legal Issues (Rule Formation), etc."

I actually showed live footage of the virtual space and demonstrated my metaverse life, explaining the mechanisms of VR equipment, worlds, and avatars. Also, based on my own experiences as a metaverse resident, interviews with residents, and the large-scale survey 'Social VR Census 2021', I explained the reality of users' lives in the metaverse from various perspectives.

And I mentioned that millions of residents are already living their lives in the metaverse during its dawn, and that there are many residents who are negative about regulations that hinder freedom within the metaverse, and conveyed that when considering policies, I want them to listen to the voices of the residents who actually live there, not just private companies, and proceed with caution.

Let's have open discussions with industry, academia, government, and virtual

Below, I have excerpted the content of the first meeting I participated in from the blog post of the chairperson, Ichiya Nakamura.

*Reference (Blog post by chairperson Ichiya Nakamura):Government Metaverse Meeting, Launched. ~ Ichiya Nakamura

"Virtual Bishoujo Nemu" posted on the Prime Minister's Office website

To my surprise, the name "Virtual Bishoujo Nemu" was even posted on the Prime Minister's Office website in the "Agenda"! (Too surreal lol)

*Source: Agenda for the Public-Private Partnership Meeting on Addressing New Legal Issues Surrounding Content in the Metaverse (1st Meeting)

[Until 5/7] The Cabinet Office is calling for public comments

Active discussions continued over several sessions, and as a result, the Cabinet Office organized the points of discussion and decided to widely solicit public comments until May 7, 2023.

Since this is something that may affect future life in the metaverse, why not submit your proposals or concerns if you are a metaverse resident? They are looking to collect a wide variety of opinions.

How to submit

While referring to the "Draft Organization of Points" (1) material (which is quite voluminous), which is the output of the "Metaverse Public-Private Partnership Meeting," you can freely submit your opinions and requests via the form (2) (opinion registration). In addition to the form, you can also submit by mail.

*Deadline: May 7, 2023, 23:59

1. Draft Organization of Points: Draft Organization of Points Concerning New Legal Issues Surrounding Content in the Metaverse
2. Submission Form: Cabinet Office Common Opinion Registration System - Cabinet Office
*Application Guidelines: Call for Opinions on the "Draft Organization of Points Concerning New Legal Issues Surrounding Content in the Metaverse" | e-Gov Public Comment

Media Coverage History

Niconico News

Denfaminicogamer

Virtual Life Magazine

VTuber Info

Reference: Nemu x Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

My book, "Metaverse Evolution Theory," has also been cited multiple times in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' academic journal "Information and Communications Policy Research," where they have developed discussions on the definition of "virtual space" and the "true self (dividualism)" in the metaverse. I have also provided information to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Metaverse Study Group.

Reference: Nemu x Agency for Cultural Affairs

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