Year in Review: 2023
2023 was a real good time. Lots of IT, lots of Nature, lots of travel. Here's to 2024 being an even more exciting ride!
Cosmic Trajectory
2023 started off in pretty spectacular form, hit a few hiccups, recovered, and then began its march again towards infinity and beyond. So, in a sense, it was relatively normal. But in another, rather unique, as, in retrospect, I think it was a year of decouplings. For example:
From past projects (leaving Akiya & Inaka in favor of independent advisory)
From single abodes (adding a Meguro apartment to my Yugawara one)
From largely a builder mode of operation to one including action leadership
Much like the Inspir series, by reviewing my year here, it's remarkable to see how each quarter set up situations for me to seize and work to my advantage, like there’s some kind of overarching theme the universe is working for me that, despite my honest misgivings about a whole lot of things, seems to have a distinctly positive trajectory.
And that’s what I like about stepping back and taking a look at myself, my accomplishments, and my communities. You, lovely readers, may not expect it, but I have a very easy time getting down on myself and am also quite introverted. Therefore, these activities of mine are truly exhausting, but at even my most lethargic and doubtful moments I do have what I’d describe as a vision or a calling - one that melds technology, music, and cultural revitalization together in harmony - but by jotting down all my accomplishments and my thoughts on them at the end of the year is a truly great way to realize that, by George, I’ve done some pretty cool stuff, so keep it up!
23Q1
Advising the Tomigahara Community
There’s a beautiful lake in Shinanomachi, Nagano called Lake Nojiri. Nicely situated between many well-known ski resorts (Kurohime, Myoko, Madarao, Nozawa Onsen), and relatively easily reachable by a combination of bullet and local trains.
A few friends up there have, like many other local communities, taken it upon themselves to bring the region into the fold of the 21st century. They own hotels, cafes, have been involved with government, and are quite international, so its a very nice rag tag team of folx they have up there whom, I believe, are indeed sufficiently equipped for the task.
But a little hope goes a long, long way, and being able to relate anecdotes of other communities that I’ve visited or integrated with for IT projects over the years has, once again, proved helpful in giving these particular adventurers a further push in the right direction.
Taking on the Viking Lore
A long-time collaborator of mine, Marc-Antoine, runs Boomachine, a boutique cinematography agency. He’s a rather talented guy, and has a decent enough creative mind to sometimes throw caution to the wind and come to me with an idea that isn’t at all fleshed out but is cool enough to just run with.
And so, in February, he told me that he wanted to do some “viking stuff” in rural, snowy Nagano, near Hijirikogen - cause, you know, the hair and the beard. Naturally I accepted this mission, we went up there, shot some awesome stuff and… its still in post.
I’ve got some previews which are absolutely stunning, but those are not final cuts so you’ll have to wait a little longer before I release them.
Inaugural JREPs Symposium
I did not find much time to join the JREP podcast all that often in 2023, which is a shame because they’re not only a total weapon of information regarding real estate in Japan, but also a real hoot to discuss it with, but alas, what is, is, and I’d choose to look fondly back on this wonderful inaugural event than to lament my subpar ability to hang out with them much during 2023.
Setting Back Up in Tokyo
After 2 years of being based out of my secret Yugawara compound - though not secluded and with many excursions to speak of! - I made the decision to expand my foot print and secure a place in Meguro as well.
Great decision… HOWEVER! It does prove my various soliloquies regarding the cultural gravity of Tokyo. I find it quite difficult to set aside the time to extract myself from the grasps of the megalopolis, even after all the years I’ve now spent exploring other climes. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t get out of the city - I sure do - its just that, you know, I’ve gotta push more. Goes to show, this beast of a city will eat you alive if you let it.
Oh, and I went with Apartmently to do this. Random stroke of luck, that one, but an absolutely wonderful service under the e-Housing umbrella. Definitely check them out for any needs you have for quality apartments at way cheaper prices than normal. No agency or guarantor fees.
TV Asahi Once Again
I’ve done a good job of getting my work with akiya across Japan covered, and I think this was the first instance of it this year, with TV Asahi. After that came the New York Times and Australia’s SBS, I believe.
Its ever-gratifying to have my efforts in rural revitalization be recognized by major media organizations, but that’s more a cherry on top. That this issue is getting coverage at all is encouraging, double that for the evolving narrative which is slowly but surely starting to more accurately reflect the reality on the ground.
We’re not there yet, but we’re better off than where we started. Wanna dig deeper? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, glad to provide insight or assist with a purchase.
Q2
Spearheading the Digital Springs Movement
In April, after considerable conversations with a key collaborator, I launched the Digital Springs web3 movement, aiming to transform rural ryokans into hubs for IT development and community interaction. This initiative came about after a number of developments coalesced on each other, including:
Discussions on Proof of Location protocols, whereby a subject’s geographic footprint is blockchain verifiable, which stemmed from my;
Work with the millions of akiya or vacant properties spread across Japan. This problem is the culmination of numerous oversights and misalignments converging, one of which is the inability to readily and accurately discern property lines from analogue public records. This also led me to;
Integrating with local communities’ projects at the intersection of revitalization and digitization. For example, I’v helped untangle local airbnb operators’ digital presences since 2020; in late 2022 I was approached by local community members about investing in NFTs even though they knew nothing about them; in January 2023 I began helping local restaurants get their hands on ChatGPT. Which is to say, there’s a need for hands-on but non-formal education about modern technology.
At it's core, Digital Springs is about merging tradition with modernity for the benefit of overlooked communities. And launching it really set the tone for the rest of the year, a tone focused on doing unheard of things in places rarely considered with technologies that are never deployed there in the interest of not just preserving cultural heritage but creating new ones.
Pioneering JP Vinyl: Revolutionizing Vinyl Record Hunting
April saw JP Vinyl spring forth from my imagination, and violently! It is an AI-powered platform designed to connect vinyl enthusiasts worldwide with the unique world of Japanese records. This project began as I was staring out my window, across the street at a used record store - I just couldn’t stop thinking that there was something to do with all of those slabs of wax. Fusing my love for music with technology, once I had the concept of a subscription box in mind, I quickly set about creating a cultural bridge that transcended geographical boundaries.
Regen @ IVS Kyoto
美しい村DAO, 1ETH2TRAVEL, PlanetDAO, and myself all got together down in Kyoto in… June-ish?… to discuss Web3 applications in rural settings. If it in’t already apparent to those of you reading this, I do quite a bit of work in oth of those sectors so, at risk of complimenting myself, I was a pretty good person to invite to this event.
What were my main points? Education, by and large. Web3 in particular has an absolutely dreadful history of onboarding even tech-savvy normies, so to me its of the utmost importance to develop systems that allow folx in the far reaches of rural Japan to also easily access these technologies.
How do I suggest doing that? Drinking at local establishments, mostly ;)
Beer Collab Begins
Yggdrasil Brewing down in Hiratsuka is one of my favorite bars in the Shonan region, not just because owner Davido has a particularly creative approach to the craft, but because its also a notable hangout for metalheads. Close to the beach, to boot!
So I was down there one day talking with Davido over one beer or another, when his collaborations with bands to produce branded beers came up. Good conversation, didn’t really think anything much of it until a few days later, when it occurred to me to ask if he’d be willing to collaborate with Kaala. So I asked, he agreed, and we were off to the races!
We’ve done 2 now (Blood Rite IPA, and Starless IPA), and sold out both. Its a real treat, and something that you don’t see too much, to be able to work with them on this, super glad for the opportunity, and super looking forward to where we can take it!
Q3
WebX
July was a month of global connections, as I participated in WebX at the Tokyo International Forum. This event was a gathering of some very bright minds in technology, where I had the opportunity to learn and share insights about the evolving digital landscape.
Exploring Crypto Community Opportunities with PlanetDAO: Hida Takayama
Also in July, and on the heels of IVS, I was asked to join PlanetDAO's exploration in Hida Takayama, further delving into the potential of cryptocurrency in rural revitalization. We stayed at Zenkoji, a functioning Buddhist temple that also hosts guests at night, toured the city, learned more about the various crypto offerings already active in the area, and brainstormed a whole lot about where the existing infrastructure could go.
DJ Sets Begin
A good friend from a very secretive, esoteric metal band began hosting curated DJ events in July, to which I’ve been added to the revolving roster. To date I’ve done 3 of them, always a real pleasure. One of the fun learnings from this has been how many extreme music DJs are starting to publicly venture into genres with audiences that previously have been very, well, taboo. Jazz, funk, city pop, hip hop, and more pepper playlists otherwise filled with amplifier worship and blast beats. Interesting combo, to be sure!
Advising Shiftbase
August marked the beginning of my advisory role with Shiftbase, a pioneering force in the web3 space based in Tokyo. We met under auspicious and unforeseen circumstances, which is something that always makes my ears perk up. Turns out my experience in IT and cryptocurrency aligned quite well with their mission, and now here I am, (hopefully) contributing to the future of digital interactions and transactions.
Scuba Diving in Ishigaki
That same month, I embraced the tranquility of nature by heading down to Ishigaki with some friends for a scuba diving excursion. This is that kind of adventure which reminds me - again - of the importance of balancing our work lives and digital advancements with the preservation and experience of natural beauty. You’d think that message’d stick with me, but alas, I often find myself adrift in the sea of modernity that I need to disconnect to reconnect. I suspect I’m not the only one.
Rejoining CarterJMRN
September was a pivotal month as I joined CarterJMRN, diving into projects on holography and age-tech. This move into market research allows me to explore the intersection of technology and consumer behavior in ways that I hadn’t been particularly closely involved with, so I’m quite glad for the opportunity.
Saying Goodbye, For Now
Not bragging, but in the current extreme underground of Japan, Norwegian Chris and I are the longest running non-Japanese members - started in ‘08. So he and I go back a long way, and it is my humble opinion that he is the best metal photographer in the country. Which is why I was sad to see him go back to his homeland this past October, but he had things to do over there so its not as if it didn’t make any sense. Plus, he’ll be back soon enough. Anyway, we threw him a going away party at Meguro’s best bottle shop, Jolly’s.
And while yr waiting for this total legend to return, check out some of his portraiture, below.
Getting Back to Worship Pain
In September, I also returned to my musical roots after 3 whole years, with Worship Pain. I was playing with them as a 2nd guitarist for their shows prior to Corona, but that mucked everything up and I spent a lonnnnng time in musical isolation. Long story, but the good news is, I’m back to composing and playing. My first show with them after all that time in November was an undeniable success, 104 people in the door, playing with legends of Japan’s underground at one of the most venerable venues in the scene. I’m passionate about many things, but I think that the people and experiences in the underground here are the thing I value most.
Guiding Rural Lifestyle Choices
My transition out of Akiya & Inaka to advising on rural lifestyles also occurred in September. This move was a natural extension of my work in rural revitalization, guiding individuals towards sustainable, harmonious living through the power of technology.
I’ve been fielding leads and onboarding clients via www.mkultraman.com which works well enough for the time being, but I do have plans to get a proper presence established via www.akiyahunter.com (which currently redirects to MKUltraman) in the short term. All a matter of balance.
Q4
A Mystical Musical Experience: Earthless in Nagano
I’ve been a big fan of Earthless for some time, and even have a particularly fond memory of the first time I saw them in Japan, where I hopped off the plane at Haneda coming back from a week of Deathfests in the US to run, with my baggage, over to Earthdom to catch the sold out performance there in 2015.
That was good, but this October’s was unquestionably better: I was invited to attend an Earthless performance at exactly where there should always be playing, at a mountaintop temple in rural Nagano. Total weapon of a show, and I was so excited about it that I even confirmed with the organizers that I can book the temple for my own shows in the New Year.
Expanding Executive Networks: The Delphi Network
I’ve been hanging out at The Delphi Network events for a few years, grab lunch with Dan every once in a while, and generally think very highly of the guy and the organization he runs. So when he took me aside at a DN event at the Andaz and asked if I’d consider coming on board as an advisor to the enterprise, I happily agreed to the role. This advisory role has enabled me to provide waht insights and guidance I can from an admittedly unique background/history, to contribute to the fostering of collaborative success in professional communities.
The Burning Spirit of Creativity: Burning Japan
I headed over to Burning Japan near Numazu, Shizuoka in November. Inspired by Burning Man, this 4 day gathering was a true celebration of creativity and community, perfectly aligning with my philosophy of blending culture, technology, and society.
It was totally awesome and I will be attending the next one in 2024. You should consider, too.
Camp MKUltra: Trailblazing Rural Experiences
Finally, in December of 2023, after at least 3 years of begging from many of the communities I’m part of, I started a camping retreat series, and I call it Camp MKUltra. For those of you who get the reference, I also hope it colors your expectations of the events, within the law anyway ;) For those of you who don’t, look around and see if you can connect the dots.
This initiative is about expanding minds through novel experiences, emphasizing the transformative power of unconventional settings and deep connections. Join one of these events, and yr sure to walk away with profound learnings of one kind or another!
Year Round Rock ‘n’ Roll
And, of course, I also spent a whole lot of time with friends in the music scene here. as before and ever so, Japan’s independent, underground, extreme music ecosystem is a neverending source of inspiration, camaraderie, and joy. Despite their appearance, Japan’s metalheads and grindfreaks are some of the nicest and most creative people I know, and I can’t thank them enough for doing what they do.
That’s a Wrap!
Reflecting on 2023, I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the future. This past year has been a mosaic of innovative endeavors, each contributing to a more culturally rich and technologically advanced Japan. As I look forward to the new year, I am eager to continue this journey of exploration, innovation, and impact. If that’s something you’re curious to hear more about, or even possibly contribute, don’t hesitate to get in touch at matt@mkultraman.com, and certainly make sure to subscribe!
Wow! What a year! This will be hard to beat, but go for it!