Alibaba Cloud, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group and a leading global cloud computing corporation, has announced plans to establish a blockchain laboratory in Shibuya, Japan. The laboratory’s primary objective is to strengthen game development for Japanese developers interested in exploring the web3 domain.
Partnering with Japan-based Skeleton Crew Studio, specializing in VR and gaming development, Alibaba Cloud plans to provide a platform for game developers to improve their blockchain-based game design skills. However, this platform is exclusive to developers working on collaborative projects with the firm and participants in the upcoming web3 Hackathon starting on April 2 across four Asian regions.
Blockchain Node Service Launch in Japan
In addition to the blockchain laboratory, Alibaba Cloud intends to launch a blockchain node service in Japan, presently in its pilot phase and available to a limited number of users. The new service will offer a more user-friendly interface to developers utilizing the Alibaba Cloud infrastructure.
Japan’s Efforts in Establishing a Web3 Hub
Alibaba’s recent focus on expanding its blockchain services in Japan coincides with a surge in regulatory efforts triggered by the rising adoption of blockchain and digital assets. In January, Japanese financial regulators recommended that crypto-related entities be subject to regulations similar to traditional banks, following the FTX debacle.
Japan has been actively trying to establish itself as a prominent web3 hub in Asia, with several initiatives supporting this goal. The country has shown a particular interest in the fields of web3 and NFTs, as evidenced by the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan’s interim proposal on web3 policy.
Conclusion
Alibaba Cloud’s move to establish a blockchain laboratory in Shibuya, Japan, highlights the growing interest in the web3 domain in the Asian region. With Japan’s active efforts to establish itself as a prominent web3 hub, Alibaba Cloud’s plans to expand its blockchain services in the country will undoubtedly contribute to its success. As blockchain and digital asset adoption continue to rise, more corporations and governments worldwide will likely follow suit in exploring the web3 domain’s potential.
