Nihon University College of Art
Japan Information Processing Service Co., Ltd.
Urth Inc.
nrc architecture & design office Inc.
QUNIE CORPORATION

Tokyo, Japan – January 15, 2024 – Nihon University College of Art (Location: Nerima-ku, Tokyo; Dean: Hiroshi Kawakami; hereinafter referred to as "NICHIGEI"), Japan Information Processing Service Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hidenori Kayahara), Urth Inc. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hiroki Tanaka), nrc architecture & design office Inc. (Head Office: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hajime Tsuruta; hereinafter "NRC"), and QUNIE CORPORATION (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Shigeki Yamaguchi; hereinafter "QUNIE") have jointly launched the "Ekoda Metaverse Innovation Project" by NICHIGEI students.

In this project, with a goal of sharing the attractions of Ekoda where the NICHIGEI campus is located, students will discover and define charms of the town from their own unique perspectives and recreate it in the metaverse using art and design. The students will take the initiative in the overall planning and conception of the project while participating companies will support students by providing advice based on their expertise in the metaverse and architecture.

Starting in February, the special website "Hacha Meta By NICHIGEI" will showcase the art and design approaches of NICHIGEI students, the process of constructing the town using the metaverse technology, and the completed metaverse works. In addition, sketches and objects will be exhibited at the "Nihon University College of Art A&D Gallery" from late March 2024 onward.