Japanese Railway Company looks to boost customer engagement with new NFT collection on Astar Network
JR Kyushu, part of Japan’s largest rail network, recently announced that it would issue non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in collaboration with P.R.O. Co., Ltd on top of the Astar Network. This initiative aims to enhance the railway operator’s relationship with its customers by providing them with memorabilia and proof of visiting, riding, and using the system.
Loyalty programs using NFTs
The project, set to launch in July 2023, will allow riders to purchase commemorative NFTs or obtain them through the usage of the railway system. Depending on the NFTs held, riders may qualify for further benefits and access to limited NFTs. Users will be able to purchase NFTs using the Japanese yen.
Astar Network is Japan’s most popular smart contract platform, supporting both EVM and WebAssembly (Wasm) environments and interoperability between them using a Cross-Virtual Machine. Astar Network is friendly to all kinds of developers, and the tools and languages they already know.
JR Kyushu serves more than 330 million people a year, and the collaboration will bring real-world utility to NFTs in Japan, creating new touchpoints with customers.
Astar Network leading in Japan
Astar Network, one of Japan’s leading smart contract platforms, was chosen for its low fees, high scalability, and deep understanding of the Japanese market. Astar is at the forefront of the NFT craze sweeping across Japan, and dozens of leading brands have embraced the possibilities of Web3.
In the past, Japan’s leading corporations, including Toyota Motor Corporation and Sony Network Communications, have worked with Astar Network to explore the opportunities in Web3.
Choo Choo!
Once the project launches, users will be able to enjoy Kyushu while maintaining a holistic track record of their travel experience, strengthening their relationship with the railway operator.
The first proof-of-concept will be distributed during the Blockchain Expo in Tokyo from May 10th-12th, displaying the new Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen.
Astar Network Founder Sota Watanabe said:
“At Astar Network, we’re excited to see more real-life use cases of enterprises exploring and leveraging NFTs to build closer relationships with their customers and provide new value. We look forward to supporting PRO Japan and JR Kyushu in their endeavor.”
The railway operator’s aim is to bring real-world utility to NFTs by leveraging the technology to provide visitors with proof of visiting, riding, and using the system. The NFTs held by riders may qualify them for further benefits and access to limited NFTs.
