Tokyo's Kita Ward to Launch First Digital Regional Currency in Autumn 2026, Adopts 'Pokepay' System

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Tokyo's Kita Ward announced the launch of its first proprietary digital regional currency in Autumn 2026. The 'Pokepay' platform by Digital Garage Group has been selected to revitalize the local economy and solve regional issues.

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Tokyo's Kita Ward announced the launch of its first proprietary digital regional currency in Autumn 2026. The 'Pokepay' platform by Digital Garage Group has been selected to revitalize the local economy and solve regional issues.

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Source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000199.000019691.html | Date: Date unavailable

Pocket Change Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shin Aoyama), a group company of Digital Garage, Inc. (TSE Prime: 4819), has been commissioned by Kita Ward, Tokyo, to implement its 'Digital Regional Currency Project' starting this fiscal year. This project aims to revitalize local industries and solve regional challenges. The service is scheduled to begin in the autumn of 2026 with the offering of premium digital gift certificates. Merchant recruitment for businesses within Kita Ward is expected to start this summer. ### Background of the Initiative Kita Ward previously implemented a premium digital gift certificate project using the 'PayPay' app in FY2024 to promote cashless payments and regional economic activity. Through that project, there were growing needs for a system that could respond more flexibly to specific policies, provide ease of use for residents, merchants, and the ward, and enable data collection and utilization by the issuer (Kita Ward). In response, Digital Garage and Pocket Change proposed a solution based on their expertise in building the 'Hachipay' app for Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. Their proposal, which looks toward more efficient administrative management and further economic revitalization, led to this commission. ### About Digital Garage and Pocket Change's Efforts In this project, a dedicated app for Kita Ward will be built using 'Pokepay,' which has a proven track record including 'Hachipay.' Multiple wallet functions will make it possible to reward points for volunteer activities and administrative policies. The specifications are designed to be useful not only for economic revitalization but also for various other administrative measures. ### Campaign Information #### 1.8 Billion Yen Scale Campaign Scheduled for Autumn 2026 The project plans to establish a mechanism that can be used not only by residents of Kita Ward but also by commuters, students, and visitors. As part of this, a campaign with a total issuance scale of over 1.8 b

Tokyo's Kita Ward to Launch First Digital Regional Currency in Autumn 2026, Adopts 'Pokepay' System

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