Shytoshi Kusama, the lead developer of Shiba Inu, recently met with Ippei Kumagai, a Japanese politician and former Council Member of Kesennuma City, during the IVS crypto conference in Japan. Kusama’s presence at the conference, which runs until July 6, has drawn significant attention, particularly after Shiba Inu emerged as a gold sponsor for the IVS Crypto 2024 event last month, adding to a series of recent sponsorship deals secured by the project.
Kusama made headlines by committing to physically attend the event, marking the first occasion where the enigmatic lead developer appeared in person at such an event. True to his word, Kusama attended the conference, albeit with his face concealed behind a mask, disappointing community members eager to see him unmasked. Interestingly, photos shared by Riri, a prominent Japanese SHIB enthusiast, revealed a notable detail: Shytoshi Kusama bowing in customary Japanese fashion to Ippei Kumagai.
Further investigation by The Crypto Basic confirmed Kumagai’s identity as a 44-year-old Japanese national with a significant background in government service. Kumagai served 14 years in the Miyagi Prefectural Government before being elected to the City Council of Kesennuma, where he later resigned to focus on developments in Minamisanriku and Kesennuma. Known for his progressive views, Kumagai has shown interest in the crypto industry and was present at the IVS 2024 event where he met Kusama.
In a statement, Kumagai expressed his pleasure at meeting Kusama, highlighting his vision to utilize Web3 technologies to enhance regional development in Japan. Notably, the Japanese government has been proactive in fostering Web3 innovations through policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the industry.
Shiba Inu has gained popularity among both retail and institutional investors in Japan, with SBI VC Trade, a division of the financial giant SBI, recently launching a SHIB passive income scheme in April. This initiative allowed Japanese investors to participate in SHIB-related investments, underscoring the growing interest in cryptocurrencies in the country.
Earlier this month, during his visit to Japan, Kusama confirmed plans to engage with stakeholders on topics including SHIB, Web3, and the future plans of the Shiba Inu ecosystem. The meeting between Kumagai and Kusama has sparked speculation about potential future collaborations or developments between their respective spheres.
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