Digital Shelter (a special project)
A system, recognized on the world stage, for escaping an invisible prison.
Consultations are currently offered in Japanese only.
Who this is for: young carers; households facing the 8050 problem; people living in long-term social withdrawal (hikikomori); people whose purse strings are held by someone else because of abuse or domestic violence; people who want to leave home but have no money to live on; anyone who has nowhere to escape to.
"Even a phone call frightens me." "I cannot move a single yen." To reach people in such extreme situations, we run a metaverse refuge where no one has to interact with anyone, built with anonymous avatars and electronic payments (Web3). There is no charge.
🏆 Stablecoin (JPYC) Innovation Challenge 2025
Chosen from 123 entries crowded with engineers, this system won two prizes at once: 3rd place overall and the Technology Award.
"Even a phone call frightens me." "My parents hold the purse strings, and I cannot move a single yen." To reach people in such extreme situations, we are building a gentle economic zone that makes full use of the latest technology and AI.
① A digital wallet that cannot be taken from you, and JPYC
We make use of JPYC, an electronic payment instrument recognized under Japanese law, where 1 JPYC is always equal to 1 yen. It is not a crypto asset whose price rises and falls.
You use Soyogi Pocket, which I developed myself, with nothing more than a Google sign-in. It is not released to the general public; it is a web app used solely within SOYOGI. It plays the part of a wallet, yet a special design lets you use it without ever creating a crypto-asset wallet. There are of course no difficult settings and no private keys to manage, and because no footprints are left on the blockchain, you can receive support directly, without it being taken from you by someone who is abusing you financially. Inside the app you can also exchange your balance smoothly for a VISA e-card (for online use) and shop on e-commerce sites. We do plan to let you pay directly at stores that handle JPYC as well, though that is still being arranged. This app was built by carefully clearing a range of legal hurdles.
* We made an advance inquiry to the FinTech Support Desk of Japan's Financial Services Agency and received written confirmation that this scheme does not require registration under the Payment Services Act (as a prepaid payment instrument, an electronic payment instruments exchange service, or a funds transfer service) (July 2026).
② Welfare DX (a self-sustaining welfare infrastructure powered by AI)
Alongside the Digital Shelter, a metaverse space I built myself, I have developed and released 23 free apps and 5 Chrome extensions. Every one of them was built independently with the help of AI. What I am aiming at is not temporary assistance, but a true welfare system that keeps turning on its own even after I am gone.
These, too, are entirely free (with no advertising), and anyone can obtain them. In addition, so that no one is left unable to protect themselves for want of money, we also provide two completely free browser extensions that guard against phishing: Soyogi Security Shield and Misclick Shield. (The Chrome versions are available now.)
And because all of them support English, they can be obtained free of charge anywhere in the world.
The SOYOGI Digital Shelter and its seven rules
"This is not a place for facing forward. It is a place simply to stop in safety, and to curl up."
Places where people gather can wear the heart thin. That is exactly why the metaverse we have made is a refuge with no socializing. So that the people who come here are never hurt, and so that they can be alone in safety, we have set seven rules.
Love the silence
You do not have to force yourself to speak. No well-turned greetings are needed. Just give yourself over to the crackle of the campfire.
Give no advice
Someone else's murmur is no different from the sound of the wind. No judgment, no pity, no advice. We allow one another only to be here.
Keep your distance
Do not come too close without reason. Here, a slightly distant distance is the greatest kindness of all.
Leave the real world behind
Age, gender, the name of an illness, and that presence called "parent". Take off every heavy piece of luggage at the entrance.
Do not encourage
Do not bring in words like "hang in there" or "cheer up". This is not a place for facing forward, but a place to curl up.
Logging out without a word is fine
You do not even need a "good night". Without worrying about anyone, you may quietly slip away whenever you like.
When you reach your limit, call for me (Hiro)
On nights when even being alone is painful, send up an SOS without holding back. I will always come to your side.
If you would like to come in
The SOYOGI Digital Shelter is a space published by private URL only, so that strangers cannot suddenly walk in. If you would like to use it, please write "利用したい" (I would like to use it) in the remarks field of the reservation form and send it. If you are able to keep the rules of use, we will show you in.
* Should anyone enter with ill intent and cause trouble, I will ban them at once on my own authority, so the peace of the space is kept.
* Consultations are currently offered in Japanese only.