Otaku Coin, new virtual currency created for anime fans

A new virtual currency, based on blockchain technology used in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, is under development. Its target market are fans of anime, manga, games and other interests in the realm of Japanese subcultures.

Aptly called “Otaku Coin” the cryptocurrency came from online store Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) which specializes in selling various anime, manga and game-related products.

TOM aims to make Otaku Coin a means for fans worldwide to support the anime industry and other industries connected to it, like plastic figures, light novels, collectible merchandise, and more.

The word “otaku” refers to someone with an obsessive interest in a particular topic. Contemporary use refers to fans of anime, manga and games, but there are also train otakus, military otakus, among others. The English vernacular has the words “nerd” and “geek” as counterparts.

Otaku Coin will launch sometime this June. Like other cryptocurrencies, anime fans can “mine” Otaku Coins by watching anime, sharing content and writing reviews. They could also cash in through an Otaku Coin issuer.

The Coins can then be used to support new projects in development or purchase goods at events. Otaku Coins could also be earned as rewards for supporting projects by big companies and creators directly. It could be a new anime, manga or an independent game.

In a way, the Otaku Coin system works like crowdfunding setups such as Patreon and Kickstarer, except it uses cryptocurrency.

It has been known to fans for some time that the anime industry in Japan has been struggling. Creators are paid low salaries and are forced to work within very tight deadlines, making it hard to recruit new talent.

Thanks to Otaku Coin’s apparent mandate to preserve the anime industry, support from individuals like Palmer Lucky of Oculus Rift and Christopher Macdonald of Anime News Network, and famous virtual YouTuber Kizuna Ai have come in, reports SoraNews24.

Meanwhile, how Otaku Coin will work in the anime industry’s favor remains to be seen. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Permanent residency in Japan to be easier for foreigners with anime-related jobs

While life in Japan as depicted in anime is not always true, and though fans are aware of this, a lot of them still dream of working and living in the land of the rising sun.

The Immigration Bureau of Japan has taken notice of this trend and announced upcoming changes to their regulations. The changes would be implemented in 2018 and it will loosen the requirements for permanent residency for people working in anime-related fields, according to a report in Nihon Keizai Shimbun via SoraNews24.

These changes also extend to professionals who work in the field of fashion and other pop culture sectors of the economy. Apparently, the goal is to help promote Japanese culture to the international community through Japan-based foreigners.

This announcement has led some to call the people working in the said industries as “Cool Japan human resources,” in reference to the “Cool Japan” strategy which aims to promote Japanese culture throughout the world.

Earlier in the year, the bureau unveiled a new points-based system that gave highly skilled foreign workers better opportunities to become permanent residents. Through various criteria such as educational attainment, experience in their chosen field and specialization, foreign workers would be awarded points that will be tallied.

The number of points accumulated will then determine what requirement a foreign worker would need to accomplish permanent residency. A highly-skilled individual who scores 80 points will only need to stay in Japan for a year to become eligible for permanent residency, while 70 points will require three years, and so on.

But before any excitement, one year of working in Japan is still a prerequisite before applying for permanent residency. On the other hand, this should be an easy obstacle for a determined and skilled anime fan to overcome. Alfred Bayle/JB/rga

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net