Crypto magazine published by Japanese polular Publisher "Futaba-Sha"

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

Additional applicants

Kasunori Asahi(Director of Futabasha)

Sebastian Guillemot (CEO of dcSpark, Founder of Paima Stadio)

YUTA (Cardano Ambassador, SPO)

RANKET (Ph.D)

Naoyuki Oda (CEO of One to One Co Ltd)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

we will not develop program code.

We will publish real magazines, which can be sold at actural bookstores. However, we hate to notice that the product process itself can not be open, but the output product can be used for everyone.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

[METADATA] SDG rating

In fundamentally the published Crypto magazine itself does not relaterelated to SDGs.

However, we will sometimes perform the interview for SDGs related projects such as the Scoious project or something.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

◆Reasons for approaching 

1. Currently, no magazines or websites objectively analyze and compare cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects in Japan.
2. Cardano often needs to be more understood, undervalued, and confused with other cryptocurrencies.
3. Media outlets need to sufficiently highlight and prominently portray the superior attributes of the Cardano Blockchain.

◆Our Solution

Recognizing those problems, we propose to publish a journal that analyzes in detail and objectively compares cryptocurrencies and blockchains. We will collaborate with the famous Japanese publisher, Futabasha, to bring this fabulous great magazine to Japan and the world.

◆Project end-users aim

1. Investors and newcomers to the cryptocurrency/blockchain sector
2. Executives of firms in the cryptocurrency/blockchain industry
3. Developers and related professionals.

◆Project demonstrates outcomes

1. The book sales amount.
2. Confirm Periodic Publishment
3. (desirable) Cardano adoption by companies through our magazines

◆The uniqueness of this solution 

1. Through detailed, objective, and unbiased analysis and comparison, readers will naturally acknowledge the superiority of the Cardano Blockchain without skepticism, allowing Cardano to highlight itself from other blockchains.
2. By collaborating with the renowned publisher Futabasha, we can rapidly expose more people to Cardano. This presents a golden opportunity to enhance Cardano's brand visibility and recognition.

◆Why this is important to Cardano

1. to support the true information of Cardano for outside companies will be strong supporter for Cardano adoption
2. the information by the traditional and popular publisher can be defeat Crypto FUD, which is quite serious problem for Cardano
3. Our project aim to establish not one time magazine but periodical Crypto Magazine tends to Cardano. Our project can generate long term impact for Cardano

Our solution

In our project, we will publish Crypto Magazine from famous Japanese publisher Futabasha.

Futabasha was established in 1948 in Japan. There are many famous Japanese Manga products and also popular magazines and books published by Futabasha.

1. In our Magazine, we will introduce the correct information for Cardano. Also we will compare to other crypt like Ethereum, Solana, Matic…
2. We will open a feedback system. We will take into consideration the feedback from community to issue what community want to read.

From the viewpoint that we write in “context and problems” here is our details to issue the content of magazine

Copy and paste: detail solution

Context and problems

Since cardano has original and strong advantages such as high security non-locked staking, smartcontract, eUTXO and others, the comparison in a fair method is the best method. If we only take Cardano information, we can not reach out to the people. However, there is no publisher who performs such a fair comparison, at least in Japan. 

Even with world wide views, there is a quite small number of publishers. Therefore, the popular Cardano persons in Japan and the represented Japan Cardano community members cooperate with the director of the popular Japanese Publisher(Futabasha) for the publishing of Crypto magazines.

There is always misunderstanding and FUD when it comes to information about Cardano. Cointelegraph, CoinDesk, and Coinpost in Japan, which are famous in the crypto world, are also very minor media from the perspective of the non-crypto industry. 

On the other hand, in Japan, there are many media and influencers who describe incorrect knowledge about Cardano, and it is still described as a casino coin. There is also a lot of incorrect information, such as the existence of a lock period for staking.

The bad image of virtual currency as a whole is also a big problem. Currently, Bitcoin and Ethereum are recognized as presice words, but for ordinary people, there is almost no distinction between Cardano, Polygon, Solana, etc. For this reason, many people perceive it as a low-ranking coin that does not even appear in the TOP100. 

Against this background, social implementation and practical application in Japan and the increase in the number of general ADA holders are sluggish. Similar problems may exist outside the country. The world of cryptocurrencies is basically a competition for market share, and it takes a lot of time and money to change the blockchain used. The change to Cardano, a non-EVM chain,especially comes with various problems.

 However, from a global perspective, there are still few businesses related to virtual currency, and it is also true that new entrants can be expected. From this point of view, it is important to have existing industries, including Web2 and infrastructure, understand Cardano accurately and emphasize its outstanding characteristics such as durability. 

It is very effective as one of the shortest means for the popularization of Cardano to convey the correct appeal of Cardano in the virtual currency information introduced by comprehensive magazines based on a neutral standpoint. Focusing on the durability and effectiveness as a blockchain, transaction fees, decentralization and functionality of staking, if you make an accurate comparison, there is no part where Cardano is inferior to Ethereum. It will be understood that the system And I think it is significant that such neutral and truthful information was sent out by a traditional and authoritative magazine company, and that it is translated into Japanese and conveyed to the world.

From this point of view, we propose the publication of a cryptocurrency magazine that imparts information about cryptocurrencies in a neutral manner while aiming to convey the appeal of Cardano published by Futabasha. The first two issues of the magazine will be published over a period of seven to eight months. If this plan goes well, we will make a similar proposal for Catalyst Fund 11 and plan to issue a total of four volumes. However, if the number of sales of these magazines stabilizes, Futaba will be able to continue to publish continuous cryptocurrency magazines that do not rely on Catalyst, in which we will be able to convey the latest information on Cardano.

In the first issue, we will explain the Japanese tax system related to virtual currency and BTC, ETH, (BNB), XRP, and ADA from the top of the market capitalization as representative virtual currencies. If it is emphasized that this is the order of market capitalization, Cardano is a blockchain of the same class as BTC, ETH, and XRP, which are already recognized in Japan, and is equipped with staking functions, smart contracts, and multi-asset functions. As a system that is doing it, it will be correctly recognized that it is the second giant next to ETH. In addition, various projects in Japan will be introduced, and it will be understood that they are due to Cardano's own funding program, Catalyst, and it will be possible to emphasize Cardano's uniqueness.

In the second issue, we plan to touch on the details of the smart contract implementation system and the actual procedure for NFT issuance. As a result, it will be possible to solve major misunderstandings in Cardano development, and contribute to the generalization of dcSpark's Paima, which is currently actively spreading in Japan, and the various smart contract implementation support systems that are scheduled to operate. We will also set the theme to look at new Cardano-related solutions such as AtalaPrism and Hydra, and compare them with other systems.

In any issue, is it possible to reflect the opinions of the Cardano community in Futabasha's editorial policy, and from what angle can we appeal the appeal of Cardano? We will consider this in detail. Also, as a neutral magazine, I think it is important to fully explain the attractiveness of BTC and ETH. Rather than simply and directly promoting Cardano, our editorial policy aims to increase the market size and awareness of the entire virtual currency. We believe that such a wide-ranging magazine layout will ultimately convey the appeal of Cardano to many users.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

◆This Proposal targets the goal of the Challenge

1. to outreach true and correct informations, such as it is not necessary to use plutus nor Haskell to mint tokens(NFTs) and to send tokens. the word “Smart contract” of Cardano is different from Ethereum and other EVM systems.
2. to achieve periodic magazine, we make the always new Cardano information on book stores.
3. to make entrance way for Cardano adoption. the companies and persons can get practical informations and the address and persons, they should be contact to. 

◆Impact of our proposal on the Cardano ecosystem

1. We can make (suggestion of ) the Cardano good news by cardano community itself. We will solve less information and FUD problem of Cardano.
2. to increase the Cardano new holder/project from other chains 
3. to increase the Cardano adoption examples by outside companies.

◆The value our proposal brings to the Cardano ecosystem

1. to make new ADA holder
2. to make new adoption examples of Cardano chain
3. to inform Cardano latest great news for ordinary peoples

Our proposal is to use the credibility of famous magazine companies to compare Cardano with other chains from a neutral standpoint. 

We will achieve the eradication of FUD by At the same time, we will cover all the information you care about when adopting Cardano, and at the same time, we will open the way to social implementation by clearly specifying the groups that seek advice when entering.

Dissemination from a well-known magazine company known by ordinary people who are not related to crypto will greatly contribute to increasing the number of general holders who are not investors necessary for Cardano to spread worldwide.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Quantitative/qualitative indicators to measure project success

1. the book sales 
2. the total number of the volume ( we target to make periodic)
3. (desirable) the number of the Cardano adoption companies/organizations

Impact on Cardano's productivity and growth in the short term

1. the PR of Cardano project with correct informations will increase ADA holders
2. to encourage startup Cardano project by magazine interviews

Impact on Cardano's productivity and growth in the long term

1. the total image up of Cardano, and defeat FUD and old non-good informations
2. to increase Cardano adoption companies gradually
3. through these, to increase Cardano holders and ADA prices.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

◆Plan to disseminate project outputs

1. our project itself (the Magazine itself can be distribute our project)
2. if the sales is good or get other support, we will translate our magazines
3. to inform magazine informations to Cardano community 

◆How to share output/results when project completion

1. since we make real product (paper Magazine), the marketing itself is share
2. we use influencer SNS, Eastern Town hall, Cardano Community

◆Directions for using the results obtained from the project for further research and development activities

1. to make periodic magazines (we hope to make popular Crypto magazine standard by our project)
2. to make new Cardano adoption by large companies (already we have made test collaboration on other Catalyst project)

Output:

We will inform Cardano community the result of the sells of our magazine through SNS and community tools. 

However, everyone can check our resupt through independet data from our team such as Amazon sells ranking or something. Our project itself is a kind of information but is also a product (Magazine).

Result

Our project result can encourage Enter to Cardano blockchain in terms of both ADA holder and Cardano project. We will emphasize Cardano advantage and release interview by Catalyst proposers. Also we provide a connection with development companies. This project will enhance Cardano at Japan. And We hope resemble project will be started at other countries.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Ability and experience suitable to implement the project

Our team have two professional directors (Futabasha director, and support director strongly related to Futabasha)

[Kazunori Asahi] is a professional director of magazines and books. This person already worked in a famous publisher for more than 20 years.

[Masayuki Oda] is a professional director of magazines and books. Also this person already worked in a famous publisher for more than 20 years. One of his products sells over 2 million books.

Famous Cardano developper “Sebastian Guiilemot (dcSpark)” give advices for Cardano and other EVM chain

[Sebastian Guiilemot] is a CTO of dcSpark and founder of Paima stuidios. This person is one of the TOP Cardano engineer over the world. This is a best selection in Japan.

Famous Cardano ambassador and Crypto tax accountant “YUTA” give advices for Cardano and Tax problems in Japan.

[Yuta] is a most famous Cardano ambassador in Japan. He is also speciallist of Japanese Tax

Some of the represented Japan Cardano community members will give feedback and some articles for Magazines. 

[RANKET} is a Ph.D researcher. This peason is one of the represented Cardano Community member.Also other two community member is popular in Japan Cardano Community.

Since two professional directors of Japanese TOP30 Popular publihser are included in the project, we bellieve that these members are best members for publish crypto magazines in Japan.

◆Financial management process

Workflow: Our project workflow is quite simple. 

The magazine contents suggestions were created by Futabasha directors with RANKET. The draft for magazines are created and reviewed by other members. The interview report for represented Cardano developers including Mr. Sebastien Guillemot was also described in the magazine.

All of the financial management will be performed by Futabasha. Almost 90% of the catalyst budget will be paid for making contents, editing and publishing. Remains (10%) will be paid for other members by Futabasha.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Main goal of the project

1. to publish Crypto Magazine
2. to achieve large sales and periodic publications
3. (desirable) to get Cardano adoption companies

How to verify the goal has been achieved

1. the sales data of the magazines will be confirmed by book sales information on Japan. Probably, Amazon sales ranking or other book store sales ranking will be published by each service. (this is completely same as other ordinary publications)
2. The periodic publishment will be confirmed by ISBN code of our Magazines.
3. (Desirable) the achievement of Cardano adoption in Japan can be reported by our magazines and other news.

Our project goal is to realize the annual publication of the crypto magazines, which always mention Cardano projects. In order to achieve this, we have to realize the good sell numbers.

The sale numbers will be validated by Japan book sales ranking.

The annual publication can be confirmed in Futabasha Publishment.

We would like to emphasize that this project is a kind of formal application for catalyst by Futabasha. And an application for a catalyst by such a kind of long history company itself is quite good news for Cardano development, at least in Japan.

Moreover, in Japan, this kind of popular publisher information is stronger than other online PR articles. When we approach famous Japanese companies, this magazine will give quite good support.

The KPI of our project is to make 5000 books per volume and sell more than 50% of the books.

If we achieve this KPI, probably Japanese on-site book stores will treat our magazine, which is the best approach for the many small companies. These are quite important for the decentralized system.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

◆Milestone

Total cost $40,000 / volume two volume : $80,000

We have summarized our milestone and plans

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WcROJodIOf6_YO3pTRIUKRMsGIC9r5Q-/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111591893934981396754&rtpof=true&sd=true

The 1st milestone

 Main activities + Timeline: to complete first volume contents plan, making interview for making contents

Success Criteria (KPI) the draft for first volume

Estimated cost for this Milestone $ 20,000

The 2nd milestone

Main activities + Timeline: to complete the magazine, start sell, PR by news

Success Criteria (KPI) : magazine(Vol.1) (96 pages)

Estimated cost for this Milestone $ 20,000

The 3rd milestone

Main activities + Timeline: to complete second volume contents plan, making interview for making contents

Success Criteria (KPI) the draft for second volume

Estimated cost for this Milestone $ 20,000

The 4th milestone

Main activities + Timeline: to complete the magazine, start sell, PR by newsletter

Success Criteria (KPI) : magazine(Vol.2) (96 pages)

Estimated cost for this Milestone $ 20,000

◆Product Development Plan

Since this project is quite simple and will be performed by professional directors, the product development plan can be attributed to three processs per volume.

1. Making plan and interview
2. making draft and edit
3. PR and Sells

◆Marketing Plan

We will use newsletter PR from Futabasha.

Also we will use Cardano Japan community, SNS, Eastern Town Hall

Workload management: the main process is due to Futabasha ordinary publishing process. In addition to this, for all processes such as planning, interview and edit, the Cardano community side member can give feedback and suggestions to the directors.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

◆Handover products

The 1st milestone : 1st magazine draft

The 2nd milestone 1st magazine publishing and PR

The 3rd milestone: 2nd magazine draft

The 4th milestone: 2nd magazine publishing and PR

◆Work results / desired results achieved

1. two magazine publishing

◆How to track project progress and measure progress

1. Anyone can check book sales on Amazon books.

 After Milestone2, everyone can check our product through Japanese book store (including online store such as Amazon books)

After Final Milestone, everyone can check our product through Japanese book store (including online store such as Amazon books)

Also you can check the sales data of our books.

If this is good, you can see the continuous publication of our magazine.

If it is not so good but not so bad, you can see our next project on Catalyst.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Due to some of the works are difficult to measure and part of the cost will be sponsored by Futabasa. So we allocate the budget according to the number of books published.

Publication cost for each issue $50,000

B5 size

96 pages for 4 colors, 16 pages for 1 color, 112 pages in total

Approximate cost per issue

printing cost $10,000

Editing fee $25,000

Advertising expenses for newspapers, etc. $5,000

self-paid issues

• Bookstore distribution costs, warehouse fees, etc. will be borne by Futabasha
• the catalyst report fee ($ 5,000/ volume) will be self paid

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost for publishing a magazine or our project is almost average or lower compared to standard magazines in Japan. A part of the cost will be paid by Futabasha.

Moreover, usually the newsletter PR will cost $20,000 for regular price, however, since this proposal is formal project of Futabasha, the PR fee will be reduced to $5,000 by Futabasha co-operations. The PR by newsletter from popular publisher is very good point not only for our project but also for Cardano.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WcROJodIOf6_YO3pTRIUKRMsGIC9r5Q-/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111591893934981396754&rtpof=true&sd=true

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.