Update 12/3/2025
A regional DAO project that uses blockchain launched in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
The General Incorporated Association Kansai Healthcare Science Informatics (hereinafter, KHSI, Kyoto City, Representative: Hisato Tatsuoka), Kurashi-no-Kenkyushitsu (Shiwa Town, Iwate Pref, Representative: Madoka Hoshi) and Minna-no-Kenko-Lab(hereinafter, MinLabo, Shiwa Town, Iwate Pref, Representative: Toru Tsuboya) had announced the commencement of a regional DAO (Decentralised Autonomous Organisation) demonstration project called HATARAKU DAO, utilising Symbol blockchain thechnology in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture of Japan.
This demonstration will address the following main themes:
- Visualise the decision-making processes for community activities and town development to encourage active resident participation.
- Develop a sustainable local governance model by fostering collaboration between local government, businesses, and community organisations.
- Verify new methods of collaboration and consensus-building for solving local issues.
About the "HATARAKU DAO"
This DAO is founded on the concept of HATARAKU which means 'connecting with society through activities in the farmland and cultivating smiles and health', and is based on the 'social prescription' activities carried out by Hoshi, who is a community nurse in Shiwa Town.
The initiative began when the founder, a community nurse from Iwate Prefecture, opened the farmland to the local community as a place for interaction, with the aim of promoting mental and physical health alongside the residents. Its reach has now gradually expanded to the point where approximately 1,700 people participate in events annually.
The 'social prescription', which is carried out in the farmland
In "social prescribing", community nurses work with people in the farmland to provide non-medical support. Instead of prescribing medicine, they encourage activities such as exercise, social connection, healthy eating and learning about health. The specific activities are as follows:
- Health and vegetable growing consultation desk
- A place for people to learn
- A safe space
- A place for intergenerational exchange
- A place to collaborate with other professions
- A place to train volunteer students
- Shared meals
About the social prescription
Social prescribing, also known as community referral, is a UK approach that allows healthcare professionals to refer people to various local non-clinical services that support health and wellbeing.
This approach recognises that a person's health is influenced by various social, economic and environmental factors, not just medical ones. The approach aims to address these underlying social and practical needs in a holistic way. Dr. Tsuboya, who is a researcher in the area of public health, provides the specific insight for the project.
Project objectives
The idea for this project arose from the consideration of whether KHSI's digital technology specialist, Dr. Tatsuoka, could contribute to locally rooted, autonomous communities by leveraging his expertise. This project is supported by the grants of Toyota Foundation 50th Anniversary (Exploring a Sustainable Future Healthcare Model Maintained through Community and Circulation Supported by Digital Technology).
The project aims to design a decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO) that integrates social prescribing in the healthcare field with blockchain technology, and to demonstrate its mechanism. The goal is to achieve transparent and sustainable community management through collaboration between local residents, the government, and businesses.
Furthermore, we plan to validate a token system linked to community activities. By visualising participation and contributions, creating 'connections and circulation' within the community, we intend to support the maintenance of the healthcare system. The design and development of DAO are conducted by collaboration with Netsujo Inc. (Kyoto City, Representative: Tomohiro Iida), which operates web3 projects.
This project is attracting attention as the full-scale demonstration of a DAO in the regional healthcare sector. We will implement this advanced technology in local communities and disseminate a new framework to create a regionally driven future.
Exhibiting at Blockchain EXPO Autumn 2025
This demonstration was presented at the '6th Blockchain EXPO Autumn 2025', held at Makuhari Messe from Wednesday, 8 October to Friday, 10 October 2025. During the event, an app demo was showcased.
